20. Dr David Evans

One of the individuals who has been ever present throughout the history of Weldmar Hospicecare is Dr David Evans.

A GP who was a member of the West Dorset Health Authority, Dr Evans was invited to join the initial committee that was formed to take the idea of a hospice forward, in 1990 when the fledgling charity was formed under the name of the ‘Dorset Respite and Hospice Trust’.

“Contributing to the general debate of how it should all start, and the process of setting something like this up was absolutely fascinating to me,” he says. “I have had all sorts of roles over the years, and as a trustee I joined the Investment Committee. That was a very interesting experience – there were some very clever people there, and I learned an awful lot! It was always a great pleasure to attend meetings at Weldmar because they were always so interesting, it was never a drudge.”

Dr Evans says that the hospice has changed beyond recognition since opening for the first time in 1994, and says “I think it’s a fantastic charity, which has achieved an amazing amount in thirty years. It’s gone from strength to strength. Setting up community services in particular has been very valuable, good for the profile of the charity but most importantly, of course, good for patients.”

“I feel proud to have been involved, I’ve learned an awful lot, and I certainly hope that my contribution has been helpful. To be involved in t development and running of a big charity has been very interesting, and fulfilling.”

Dr Evans continues to be a valued member of the Property and Investment Committee at Weldmar.