An artist’s impression of how the retirement home will look
Journalists’ charity the NPF has launched a massive fund-raising drive to rebuild its care home in Dorking as a state-of-the-art nursing and extra care accommodation centre.
A reception hosted by the NPF’s patron, Her Majesty the Queen, launched the appeal on Tuesday at St James’s Palace in London.
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The organisation, founded 140 years ago as the Newspaper Press Fund, has helped millions of journalists and their families, awarding cash grants and providing sheltered housing and care for those no longer capable of looking after themselves.
Its care home, built in the late Sixties, is no longer suitable for round the clock care, and needs to be upgraded to meet current best practice and to comply with new regulations.
The NPF hopes to raise up to £4m towards the cost of the redevelopment and is looking to the industry for contributions.
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As well as welcoming donations, the NPF has also proposed that areas of the new centre be named after those willing to pay for the privilege.
The price tag for naming the whole building is a cool £1m, with £500,000 sought for each of the wings. However, people can lay claim to other areas for as little as £100, which guarantees a brick with the donor’s name on it.
“We are asking a lot -but we need a lot,” said Rob Gibson, chairman of the Trustees. “And, from the support we have had over so many years, we know we will receive a lot.”
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