A magician and illusionist who won Britain's Got Talent in 2016 visited Farleigh Hospice last Tuesday (August 16), after becoming a patron of the local charity.

Lance Corporal Richard Jones is the first and only magician to win the TV talent contest in its 15-year history.

Farleigh Hospice has one store in the Bentalls Centre, Heybridge, and another on Maldon High Street, along with a clearance warehouse in Wycke Hill Business Park, Maldon.

Richard met some of Farleigh Hospice's care team.

Richard visited Farleigh Hospice to learn about the care it provides to those affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement throughout mid Essex.

He said: "Visiting Farleigh Hospice was a truly inspiring experience!

"The welcome I received from the kind staff was magical and it was great to see the wonderful facilities."

"Visiting Farleigh Hospice was a truly inspiring experience!" Lance Corporal Richard Jones, soldier and magician

He met with Alison Stevens, Farleigh's Chief Executive, at the charity's hospice building in Broomfield, and was taken on a tour by Fundraising Manager Debbie de Boltz.

Richard spent time in the hospice's specialist Inpatient Unit, where he talked to the care team about their work and entertained them and a patient with some magic.

Healthcare Assistant Janis Fitzpatrick said she was 'mystified' by Richard's mind-reading abilities.

Janis Fitzpatrick, a Healthcare Assistant, said he was 'mystified' by Richard's mind-reading talents, while Adult Bereavement Team Leader Dominic Marshall enjoyed some card tricks.

Other highlights of the tour included the gallery of vibrant pictures created by the 'Yo-Yo' children's bereavement support project, the charity's memory garden and the hospice sanctuary.

Alison Stevens said: "We are delighted to welcome Richard Jones to Farleigh Hospice as one of our Patrons. He has a genuine interest in the award-winning care and support that Farleigh provides and his marvellous magic brought a real joy to everyone he met on his visit."

Each month, Farleigh Hospice nurses and health care workers make an average of 1,000 home visits, and care for 245 patients every day.

Farleigh cares for those living with illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and chronic pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis, and motor neurone disease.

For more information on Farleigh Hospice, visit the website.