Lewis-Manning House

About the House

The House, that is now Lewis-Manning House, was originally owned by Marjorie Lewis-Manning. Marjorie raised £3 million for two body scanners in Poole hospital, and it was her wish that her house be used after her death as a hospice for people living with cancer.

The house opened it's doors to the first patients in 1992 when the day care centre and Lymphoedema clinic were started. Since then the house has expanded it's services for local people. There are no charges to patients for any of the services.

Approximately one-third of the costs come from the Dorset Health Authority. Some funds come from our four charity shops and from donations, however the majority of the monies comes from fundraising activities and from legacies.

Marjorie Lloyd married Robert Lewis-Manning at the Chapel of the Convent of the Cross in Boscombe on April 16th 1953 (see photo).

She died in November 1987 and is buried in Parkstone cemetry.

Mrs Lewis-Manning achieved so much in her life, a successful local businesswoman (owning property including the County Hotel and the small newsagent below - Westover News) on the death of her husband she decided to raise money for a scanner for Poole Hospital.

With her indomitable spirit, energy and enthusiasm, she managed to raise over £3 million pounds and was able to purchase not one but two body scanners for Poole Hospital. Now named the Lewis-Manning Scanner Suite.

Mrs Lewis-Manning wanted a hospice to be set up in her home, and went about putting plans in place. Unfortunately she become unwell before she saw her vision become a reality. Mrs Lewis-Manning died in 1987 and left her home at 1 Crichel Mount Road to 3 trustees of what was to become The Lewis-Manning Cancer Trust. Some 4 years later in 1992 the House was opened for the first local people who were living with cancer and who needed the specialist palliative care provided.

Last year, our 10th anniversary, was marked in many special ways amongst other things a visit from HRH Duchess of Gloucester, and a service of thanksgiving for the ten years of Lewis-Manning House and for its benefactor Mrs Lewis-Manning.