The fundraising efforts for a Windsor-Essex Hospice in Leamington are officially underway.

Fundraising co-chair Cole Cacciavillani says thanks to the county and private donors, the group has already raised more than half of the $6-million goal.

“Now you’re going to start seeing us in the community, knocking on doors and businesses and attending all kinds of community events,” says Cacciavillani. “It’s not like at $6-million we’re going to stop, the ministry doesn’t fund all of the operating either, so we need to keep asking the community to help meet the shortfall of operating.”

The county is donating $2-million, land worth $1-million was already donated, and nearly $500,000 was raised by private donors. Drawings for the hospice are almost finished and construction is expected to start soon.