Dominic Fernandez Valdez blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: Dominic Fernandez ('Dom') Valdez BEM (1939-1999) Born in Liverpool to a Spanish father and an English mother, Dom moved to Runcorn in 1973, to the recently built New Town, where he found employment as a caretaker at Southgate Primary School (now Hallwood Park Primary School). He lived at 220 The Uplands, the house he would live in until his death. Halton Haven Hospice was entirely Dom's vision, and was originally known as The Dom Valdez Centre For Cancer Care, 'Halton Haven'. From humble beginnings at a community centre, and later at a bungalow in Windmill Hill, Dom and his team of volunteers were given the land in Murdishaw where Halton Haven now stands by Runcorn Development Corporation. The first building, which is today the Day Hospice Unit, was built in 1984. This was followed by the adjoining Inglenook in 1986, and the Inpatient Unit a few years later. The Amanda Edwards Unit was officially opened in 1991 by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. Halton Haven Hospice provides palliative care through a range of services to individuals, and support for their families, in Runcorn, Widnes and the surrounding areas. It aims to relieve the sickness, suffering and distress of people resulting in particular from cancer and other terminal illnesses. As an independent charity it must generate much of its income by its own means, and it is only because of the generosity of mainly local people that the hospice can survive. In 1992 Dom received the British Empire Medal for his charitable work. He was presented with his medal by Sir William Arthur Bromley-Davenport K.C.V.O., Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire. Dom was much loved and respected by people who knew him and by those who were fortunate enough to work alongside him. He was buried here at Halton Haven. Recorded plaque organisation: Runcorn Heritage.