On October 21, 1992, a hospice built to provide compassionate care for terminally ill people in Kent marked its official opening with a visit from Her Royal Highness Diana, Princess of Wales.

It came a year after the Heart of Kent Hospice admitted its first inpatient at its brand new building in Hall Road, Aylesford.

Since then it has cared for around 50,000 people, with around 900 relying on the facility at any one time.

What started with four beds has grown to 10. It now has 130 employees, more than 580 volunteers, 14 charity shops and a whole host of services delivered across the community.

Life Presidents David and Norma Bennett from Langley have been involved with the hospice ever since the idea was just a concept on paper.

They say the day they shook hands with Princess Diana at the launch of the charity was one they shall never forget.

“If you could have seen her with the patients she was unbelievable,” said Norma, 83.

“It was quite an experience and we were taught how to curtsy and she came over and had a very quick chat.”

David, 87, who started as a volunteer administrator, added: “Norma’s name was drawn out of a hat to actually meet her but I was marshalling the grounds and she just happened to come across and have a chat.

“I thanked her for coming and she asked me what my job as administrator meant.

“She stayed too long apparently, but she was marvellous and I had to look up to her because she had her heels on.”

The couple, who have been married for 60 years, have seen the charity through every anniversary and milestone since its inception.

They have held fundraising tea parties in their garden, set up stalls in The Mall shopping centre, and even run the hospice’s first shop which opened in Starnes Court in 1992.

Norma said: “We’ve met some lovely people along the way and I don’t know what we would do without it to be quite honest. If we can keep going we certainly will.”

David added: “Seeing the hospice as it is now makes it all worthwhile. In the early days there was some difficulty getting it off the ground.

“At first we were given a piece of land at Maidstone Hospital but because we couldn’t take it quickly, the hospice was moved over to Preston Hall. Looking at it in hindsight we think it’s the best place for us to be.”

In 2000, the couple were even nominated to attend the Queen’s garden party as representatives of the hospice.

Norma said: “That was a wonderful experience. All the lovely sandwiches had the crusts cut off and we had to be careful how we ate but it was super.”

In 2018 they were honoured with the titles of Life Presidents by charity patron, Viscountess Monckton of Brenchley. The designation is given to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the work of the hospice.

It’s volunteers like David and Norma that Lady Monckton reserves the most admiration for as they, along with hundreds of others, have helped the hospice become the establishment it is today.

Lady Monckton, who is one of its longest serving members, has also reflected on her time as patron on the 30th anniversary.

She said: “I was invited to support the hospice more than 30 years ago by the Wishing Well Appeal organiser, Molly Poulter.

“As an Army wife, I was involved in a number of charities supporting the Armed Forces. Beyond that I had a young family growing up.

“When I was asked if I would support the hospice, I said I was happy to help where I could.

“It was around the time I invited Diana, Princess of Wales, to officially open the hospice that I was asked to be patron. I was surprised and honoured to be asked and I still feel privileged to this day to be with them.”

Asked about her hospice highlights, Lady Monckton goes back to the beginning saying: “Getting it off the ground in the first place, and having the Princess officially open it gave it a great boost because it brought local interest.”

As someone who has been an integral part of the hospice in its three decades, Lady Monckton has seen many changes.

When she first started there were just four beds.

The charity now has numerous outpatient services including physio and occupational therapy. It also offers welfare, bereavement and spiritual support in the wider community.

In 2007 it received a grant from the Department of Health to extend its inpatient unit and day therapy centre, which was officially opened by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester in 2009.

This was followed by further funding from the department in 2010 to create a new garden room, an attractive landscaped area, a more welcoming reception area and additional consultation and therapy rooms.

The improved facilities were opened in 2011 by the Bishop of Rochester.

In 2017, it was rated outstanding by regulators at the Care Quality Commission and in 2019 it won the Kent Charity of the Year award.

Then in 2020, during the pandemic, it launched the Compassionate Community Awards in partnership with Maidstone Borough Council and the Kent Messenger to recognise acts of kindness shown across the borough.

One of the biggest challenges the hospice has faced in its 30-year history is ongoing.

The coronavirus pandemic meant last year, for the first time, the charity had to launch an emergency fundraising appeal because of its shops closing and fundraising coming to a halt.

As restrictions ease and things slowly start to recover, the anniversary year will be celebrated alongside one of the hospice’s biggest events yet.

It comes in the form of Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent Parade, a family-friendly art trail across Maidstone featuring one of the world’s most famous children’s book characters.

It will see 51 uniquely designed elephant sculptures, based on Elmer the Patchwork Elephant by David McKee, scattered around the town for nine weeks, from Saturday, June 19, until Sunday, August 22.

Former chief executive Sarah Pugh, who only recently moved to another role, explained: “We have been on quite a journey over the last 30 years. There has been lots of change but the fundamentals have stayed the same.

“When we first opened, most patients were cancer patients but now about 53% are living with cancer.

“In the beginning, generally hospices were mostly supporting people in their last days but now we support people in their last year, sometimes beyond that. It’s about giving everyone with a terminal illness the best quality of life. It’s about helping them achieve what matters to them and to manage symptoms so they can live their lives and the time they do have with their families.”

Looking ahead at the next 30 years, the hospice hopes it can continue to provide for everyone in the community, particularly as the population continues to age and the demand for services rises.

Although its rich history is colourful and varied, one of the core values that has not changed is the compassionate care the hospice provides patients and families every day.

This is made possible by the fundamental role hundreds of volunteers have played, and will continue to play in the years to come.

Read more: All the latest news from Malling

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone