Yesterday, The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice unveiled the brand-new Sir Arnold Clark Building. It forms part of the new expanded hospice which is located on a 7.5-acre green site in Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park.
It follows a hugely successful Brick by Brick fundraising appeal to raise £21 million to build a new hospice in Glasgow. The building has now opened its doors and is ready to support 1200 new patients and their families every year in a comfortable and holistic setting.
The care centre is located in a tranquil environment where patients and families can receive dedicated care and support. There’s also a garden for healing and reflection featuring a plaque in Sir Arnold’s name.
Lady Clark at the newly unveiled Sir Arnold Clark Building.
For the first time, the city will benefit from palliative care services specifically designed for young people and their families. The new facilities will allow specialist staff and dedicated volunteers to deliver the highest levels of hospice care to the people of Glasgow.
Sir Arnold Clark, who passed away in 2017 aged 89, was born in the East End of Glasgow and started his automotive business in 1954, with one, single-car showroom in Glasgow’s Park Road. Arnold Clark has now grown to become Europe’s largest independently owned car retailer, with over 200 branches across the UK.
Despite his success, Sir Arnold remained a key part of the Glasgow community. As part of his company’s commitment to giving back to local charity initiatives, in May last year the Arnold Clark Group contributed a six-figure donation to the hospice’s Brick by Brick appeal.
The Clark family with Hospice Chairman Maureen Henderson, the Lord Provost Glasgow and Rhona Baillie, Chief Executive of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice.
Rhona Baillie, Chief Executive of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, said:
‘This wonderful new building will allow us to provide the very highest standards of palliative care.
‘Arnold Clark made an extremely generous donation to our appeal and it feels entirely appropriate that we are able to recognise Sir Arnold’s legacy by naming the new building in his honour.’
Lady Clark, Chairwoman of Arnold Clark, commented:
‘The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice is a hugely important facility, offering the best palliative care to the people of Glasgow. We’re honoured to be part of its expansion and we are delighted to gift The Sir Arnold Clark Building and healing garden, as part of Sir Arnold's legacy to the city he loved.’