Singing sensation Beverley Craven helped the great and the good of Bucks celebrate the opening of a new hospice in High Wycombe yesterday. 

Tuesday marked the launch of the new multi-million pound Butterfly House, by The South Bucks Community Hospice charity. 

The new £4.8 million building, on the former Kingswood School site in Totteridge Lane, features a dedicated space for young adults, aged 16-28, with life-limiting illnesses. 

Previously, the charity – formerly known as South Bucks Hospice - operated out of two houses on Amersham Road as well as Cedar Barn in Hazelmere.

Dignitaries, staff, volunteers and funders gathered at a launch event on Tuesday as the Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, a professor of palliative medicine, and an independent crossbench member of the House of Lords, unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of the new day hospice.

Singer-songwriter Beverley Craven, who lives in south Bucks, gave a moving solo performance to assembled guests, as she sang and played keyboard. 

They were joined by the likes of Steve Baker MP and Chiltern councillor Mimi Harker OBE - who are both patrons of the charity - and Sir Henry Aubrey Fletcher, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. 

Mr Baker, who became patron at the end of last year, said: “Butterfly House and the team are a superb resource for the people of High Wycombe.

"I know this community hospice is going to grow and expand to provide loving care to many people in their last days and was very proud to have accepted the invitation to become a patron."