Patients who use a Bristol hospice believe its managers should have called on every Bristol family to donate just £1 to save it from closure.

St Peter's Hospice recently announced it would be closing its centre in Knowle by the end of the year because of a cash shortage.

But patients, former employees and people whose loved ones have spent their last days in Knowle believe the charity should have asked people for their support before making the decision to close it.

Sandie Foxall Smith, the chief executive of St Peter's Hospice, said the recession had led to the charity suffering a shortfall of £500,000 in their £5.5 million running costs.

Patient Ann Tooker, of Fishponds, said that Bristolians have such a fondness for the charity that there would have probably been enough support to save the site.

She suffers with a lung condition called bronchiectasis, which leaves her prone to infection, and has been attending courses at St Peter's since December.

Mrs Tooker, 65, said: "Nearly everybody's life is touched by cancer and other diseases that St Peter's helps with. It is doing such valuable work for these people, especially for the day patients, it gives us security. We can go and talk about things.

"I think the main thing that doesn't add up is that they have not gone to Bristolians with an appeal, that does not make sense.

"St Peter's is very dear to the hearts of Bristolians. The money they get from the shops and support they get proves that. It is our hospice and we are all very proud of the work it does.

"I think they have made a mistake by not bringing this to the attention of the people of Bristol. We should have been given the opportunity to do something about it.

"If every family in Bristol paid a £1 we would have been able to keep the hospice running."

The managers and trustees of St Peter's Hospice said they have taken the decision to move all inpatient and day hospice services to its purpose-built Brentry site because at least £300,000 of work needs to be carried out on the 112-year-old Knowle building to make it fit for purpose.

They said that much of their work is now community based and hope they will be able to increase access to such services when the St Agnes Avenue hospice closes, but nurses will continue to be based in the south of the city.

Mrs Tooker, a former healthcare assistant, said: "I know it is an old building but to the patients it is like going to someone's home.

"It is not a hospital-type building, which Brentry, for all the good work they do, is.

"Brentry is not the same as Knowle, which is a grand old house and you feel comfortable there. It is second to none.

"The gardens are beautiful and it is lovely to sit there and feel at peace with the world.

"When I first went to the hospice I wondered what I was doing there but we support each other and the staff and volunteers are amazing."

Kelly Taylor, 32, of Stapleton, has used the day hospice at St Peter's and also spent time as an inpatient to give her husband, Richard, a break.

She said: "St Peter's Hospice has done so much for me and I was absolutely gutted when I heard they were closing Knowle.

"There is no other hospice in south Bristol and it is such a vital commodity.

"The whole of Bristol needs to do something to save the hospice, or perhaps they could apply for lottery funding."

A supporter of the hospice, who did not wish to be named, was saddened to hear of the plans for Knowle and fears that people in south Bristol may withdraw their support with the site closing.

She said: "I am sure there would be lots of tradespeople willing to give their time for free.

"There is a lot of empathy for the Knowle hospice and I think support from this side of town is starting to decrease. A lot of people have donated money around here and may not be willing to give any more.

"I cannot believe there is not going to be a hospice up there. I had relatives who passed away up there and know people who say that if anything happens to them that is where they will go."

Andrew Hufford, St Peter's Hospice commercial director, said that the sentiment of the charity's supporters was appreciated, but the decision had been taken to safeguard its future.

He said: "Strategically, by having one building we save half a million pounds year on year. It is not just about saving money now but saving money for the future.

"Eighty five per cent of what we do is in the community and going forward we feel that is where our focus and investment should be made.

"Problems with the building is that buildings of that age and condition, deterioration will always be there and no doubt money will have to go on that.

"It is vitally important that people continue to support us."

John Sandifer, 63, of Redfield, has been attending the day hospice at Knowle for about a year.

He said: "It is a great shame that they are closing Knowle.

"It seems to have been a sudden decision without any thought of going to the public for an appeal.

"The day hospice is wonderful. It is like going to another home. It gives the carer relief and gets us out of the four walls.

"The carers and volunteers are marvellous."