THE family of a late local who spent the last three weeks of his life in care in Bendigo are spearheading a campaign for a hospice centre in Swan Hill.

Tooleybuc's Peter Hoare lost his battle with kidney cancer in July — and, while the wounds are still raw for his sister Loretta Belton and his children Emma and John, they believe local families should not have to be separated during their last few weeks together.

"HE WAS a legendary bloke and a good father and farmer," says John Hoare, of his beloved dad, Peter.

Peter passed away four months ago, after a nine month and three day battle with kidney cancer.

While the wounds are still raw for those he left behind, his passing has prompted discussion of improving support for seriously ill people and their families in Swan Hill.

Diagnosed in 2013, Peter was already at stage four when he received the news.

The family banded together to support Peter and each other during the difficult time.

For sister Loretta, the news of his diagnosis was "devastating", but one of the hardest things about Peter's final few weeks was the distance he had to be from his family.

With no hospice — a specialised unit that focuses on the needs of seriously ill patients — in Swan Hill, Peter spent the final three weeks of his life two hours away in Bendigo.

"You have to travel and people don't get there to say goodbye," Loretta said.

"My brother died, and mum and dad weren't there to say goodbye.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of Wednesday's Guardian (November 26).