PROSPECT Hospice has announced that Helen Browning OBE and Jonathan Wilkes have accepted invitations to become charity patrons.

Organic farmer and entrepreneur Helen Browning agreed to the invitation following a recent visit to the Wroughton-based hospice where she met and chatted with the charity’s chief executive Angela Jordan.

She was given an overview of the services that Prospect Hospice provides for thousands of patients and family members each year. Ms Browning, who is also the chief executive of the Soil Association, said: “I know from its reputation of the very important part it plays in my local community in providing unparalleled end-of-life care services, so it is an honour for me to be given the opportunity to represent Prospect Hospice as a patron. I look forward to working alongside Angela and the team to promote the excellent work of Prospect Hospice in the years ahead.”

Ms Browning becomes the second prominent figure living in Prospect Hospice’s area of care to be invited to become a patron by the charity recently, following Jonathan Wilkes’ acceptance of the offer to become a patron. Acclaimed musical theatre performer and TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes has been a supporter of the hospice since 2010 when he first hosted and performed for guests at Prospect Hospice’s biennially-staged Full Length and Fabulous ball, the most recent of which in September raised close to £55,000 for the charity which was also when he accepted the Hospice’s invitation to become a patron.

At the time, Jonathan Wilkes said: “My first experience of Prospect Hospice was when their amazing nursing team cared for my wife Nikki’s late aunt. I felt there and then that this was a charity I had to do something to say thank you to, and it’s been my pleasure to have been able to do that. It’s an honour for me to have been asked to become a patron and I look forward to working with the fundraising team to encourage people to support their local hospice.”

Prospect Hospice chief executive Angela Jordan said: “We are delighted to announce Helen and Jonny as patrons, and to have people of their standing represent Prospect Hospice publicly. In their very different fields of work, Helen and Jonny have developed reputations for commitment, excellence and passion for what they do, which makes them both ideal for the honorary role of patron. I look forward to working with them both in the years ahead.”