Erica joined Friends of Hospice in September 2008 and is in charge of fund-raising and volunteers. Friends of Hospice works alongside Bermuda Hospitals Board, who own and operate Agape House, to bring in the extra amenities to help make patients and their families as comfortable as possible.

"We also fund a full-time chef and the fresh food he prepares every day," Erica says. "We also fund maintenance to the building and last year, our biggest project was rebuilding and renovating room five to include a bathroom."

Friends of Hospice also funded privacy curtains in rooms, which are shared.

Their major annual fund-raiser is the Rubber Duck Race, held every June in St. George and the Glow in the Duck Party on June 26 in Point Shares.

As for volunteers, Erica says they act as companions to patients. They spend time with patients, talking, reading and socialising and help out in other ways around the facility, which is more like a home than an extension of the hospital.

There are about 20 weekly volunteers: "We are however always looking for volunteers who have skills, like gardening or maintenance who can help out around the property."

Friends of Hospice recently brought in a professional bereavement counsellor who gave a workshop to volunteers on "companioning people who are at the end of life."

Erica says it does take a special kind of person to be a companion.

"We are currently working on a proposal for a Friends of Hospice employee who will act as a bereavement counsellor to family, staff and volunteers," she adds.

Erica says they're thankful for beauty therapists who regularly visit Agape House to give patients massages, pedicures and manicures, while schools and musicians give their time to sing and perform.

To volunteer, visit the Centre of Philanthropy, www.friendsofhospice.bm or call 232-0859.