Eric Phillips, of Murray Gardens Retirement Estate, in East Albury has collected close to 200 signatures for a petition which aims to increase the NSW government’s funding for palliative care.

The petition was started in late June by retired Sydney palliative care specialist Dr Yvonne McMaster.

The government’s budget this year allocated $5 million to enhancing palliative care but Mr Phillips said it was not enough to cover the demand for palliative care in the country.

“No one is without some direct or indirect ... need for palliative care,” Mr Phillips said.

“I’m 90 shortly and there are a lot of people in my situation ... who may need it.

“There’s certainly a need for more in rural NSW.”

In 2006, Mr Phillips’ wife, Evelyn, was diagnosed with lung cancer despite not being a smoker, and died in 2008, aged 83.

Mr Phillips cared for her for the large majority of her illness but in her final days she went under palliative care at the Neringah Hospital in Wahroonga, Sydney.

Mr Phillips moved to Albury a few months later to be closer to his daughter.

He is dedicated to helping Dr McMaster collect petition signatures until November when she presents them to the NSW government.

In 2011, Dr McMaster collected more than 23,000 signatures to help restore a $1 million funding cut from palliative care services in northern Sydney.

It meant Neringah Hospital, which was due to be shut due to lack of funding, was able to stay open.

This time, Dr McMaster was expecting nearly 70,000 signatures.

“I’m just amazed at how many people have responded,” Dr McMaster said.

“People have said, ‘yes, palliative care is bad (in Sydney) but you should see what it’s like in the bush’.

“I believe at least $40 million in funding is needed.

“I’ve had a little old lady in Wagga send me 400 signatures and now Mr Phillips has sent me his.”