Zoe's Place hospice saved by massive public effort

Zoe's Place Hospice Saved By Generous Donations

Employees from Zoe's Place and Ian Byrne, the MP for West Derby, are celebrating the achievement of raising £6.4 million through their fundraising efforts.

A hospice in Liverpool that provides care for infants and young children has avoided shutting down thanks to the local community, which gathered over £6 million in just a month.

Zoe's Place, a facility that supports children under five with serious or life-threatening illnesses, recently revealed that it will need to close its doors by the end of the year.

The charity's trustees have now announced that they have gathered sufficient funds from both individuals and businesses to continue operating.

Liverpool-based retailer TJ Morris Ltd, operating under the name Home Bargains, committed £2.5 million towards a goal of £6.4 million. Meanwhile, local businesses such as sportswear company Montirex and the Hot Water Comedy Club have collectively raised hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Stephanie Perry visits Zoe's Place twice a week with her son Josh and her three-year-old daughter Robyn.

During a speech at the hospice following the announcement of its continued operation, fundraiser Gina Earnshaw expressed that the last few weeks had been completely overwhelming.

However, she mentioned, "Every bit of stress and emotion has truly been worth it for this moment we’re experiencing right now."

Michelle Wright, the care director at the hospice, stated, "I can't find the right words to describe my emotions."

Being able to keep providing assistance to our children and families is incredibly important to us, and that’s the main goal for every member of our team.

When it was revealed on October 7 that the hospice on Yew Tree Lane in West Derby would be shutting down, many families affected by the decision expressed their sadness and heartbreak.

Stephanie Perry, whose three-year-old daughter Robyn goes twice a week, shared, "There isn't another place we can bring our kids, our little ones, where they are cared for, protected, and that we can rely on."

BBC Radio Merseyside was broadcasting live from Zoe's Place when they received the exciting update that sufficient funds had been gathered to ensure the charity's continued operation in Liverpool.

Zoe's Place, which also has locations in Middlesbrough and Coventry, was established in Liverpool in 1995.

In October, it was announced that a proposal to relocate to a new, specially designed facility nearby had collapsed because of rising expenses and insufficient time.

The proposed shutdown put 41 employees at risk of being laid off.

It was later revealed that the charity would have to vacate the building by June 2025 since the property owners, the Catholic organization known as The Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, were planning to move and sell the property.

Confidence was renewed following a fundraising effort, backed by West Derby MP Ian Byrne, which received significant support from people in Merseyside and beyond.

Mr. Byrne expressed that he feels an immense sense of pride at this moment to be from Liverpool.

"From children contributing their allowance to a donation bucket and seniors sharing a portion of their pensions, to local businesses hosting fundraising activities and celebrities generously offering both their time and financial support, it truly seems that the entire city has united over the past month to help save Zoe's – just as I had expected," he remarked.

Nurses Katy Jones and Laura Knight were part of the 41 employees whose positions were jeopardized following the announcement of the closure.

Zoe's Place mentioned that their fundraising campaign featured comedy shows and various sponsored activities, along with backing from a number of the city's notable figures.

Former Liverpool football player Robbie Fowler, singer Jamie Webster, MMA athletes Paddy Pimblett and Meatball Molly, along with comedians John Bishop and Adam Rowe, have all come on board to support the campaign.

Employees from the Liverpool Echo newspaper participated in a fundraising walk, journeying from their downtown office to West Derby.

Zoe's Place announced that a new charity has been established to manage the Liverpool location and to oversee the building of a new hospice.

Mr. Byrne also promised to address the broader topic of financial support for children's hospices in Parliament.

On October 29, he introduced a proposal in Parliament regarding funding for children's hospices. This bill calls for the government to assess the current funding for hospices that focus on caring for children and to ensure that all children in need of palliative care can access these facilities.

On October 30, he arranged for a debate in Westminster Hall regarding the matter and has reached out to Chancellor Rachel Reeves in writing.