This is what Oxford's Sobell House Hospice could look like in less than two years, writes Victoria Owen.

Based near the present site at the Churchill Hospital, in Headington, the new building has been designed to offer peace and comfort to patients suffering from life-limiting illness.

Managers at the hospice have been working for a year to raise 3.5m to fund the development, which will replace the present 25-year-old unit.

It will have more single rooms providing privacy for patients, extra accommodation for relatives and space for facilities currently housed to temporary buildings nearby.

Senior nurse Patricia Scott said: "The present building was very good, but so much has happened in the meantime and we do not have enough space.

"The number of beds stays at 20, but this will give patients more privacy, more peace through better sound proofing and more space. The architects have been very responsive and are being very creative. We certainly want something which has atmosphere but we must also have a hospice which works well practically."

A final 300,000 is still needed before work can start on the new hospice, designed by architects Yolande Wyer and Christina Tegalo.

Andrew Ryde, who has led the special Raising the Roof Campaign, said: "There's still a fair way to go and we hope the public will still support us to the end.

"If we can reach our target, building work could start at the end of the year and from the response we've already had, this looks possible."

It is hoped the new hospice will be opened in December 2002.