It’s official – Zoe’s Place in Liverpool has been saved from closure after an enormous £5 million was raised in just 30 days

Zoe’s Place baby hospice in Liverpool has officially been saved after an extraordinary campaign by the people of the city and beyond. On October 7, the city of Liverpool was stunned to hear news that Zoe’s Place, a hospice which has provided vital palliative and end-of-life-care for babies and young children and their families for nearly 30 years in West Derby, was set to close its doors at the end of the year.

41 devastated staff members were told they had just 30 days before their jobs would be cut as the charity – which also has sites in Coventry and Middlesbrough – said it had failed to find the funding needed for a new facility in time for the ending of the lease of its current site in Yew Tree Lane next year.

READ MORE:£22k boost for Zoe’s Place after star-studded football gala READ MORE:Zoe’s Place fundraiser has 8% left to go until it reaches target

But the people of Liverpool were not willing to lose this crucial hospice, which has supported so many families from this city and beyond in their darkest moments. West Derby MP Ian Byrne then met with Zoe’s Place trustees before issuing a rallying cry to the people of Liverpool to try and raise the £5 million needed to build a new hospice in the four weeks.

Backed by the Liverpool ECHO from the start, the campaign saw thousands of fundraising activities take place across the city and region, with famous faces like comedians Adam Rowe and John Bishop, UFC fighters Paddy Pimblett and Molly Malone, singer Jamie Webster and former LFC heroes Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Carragher all supporting the campaign. Liverpool clothing brand Montirex donated a huge £100,000 in the early days of the campaign.

There have been comedy gigs organised, sponsored walks and runs, while countless businesses across the city have donated days’ of takings to the cause. The biggest moment of the campaign arrived late last month when the owners of Home Bargains, Liverpool-based TJ Morris donated an enormous £2.5m to the fundraising efforts.

A final flurry of more than £300,000 arrived in the final 24 hours of the campaign as Zoe’s Place was featured on national television shows Good Morning Britain and BBC Breakfast.

It has now been officially confirmed that the campaign has been successful and reached its target, meaning that Zoe’s Place in Liverpool has been saved. Staff members were notified today that they will not be losing their jobs.

Mr Byrne has been working with the charity’s trustees on plans to build what he says will be ‘one of the finest children’s hospices in the world, a facility built by the people of Liverpool, for the people of Liverpool.’ Plans are also being put in place so that the Liverpool hospice will be ran by a new group of local trustees.

The MP said: “Ever since that initial call to arms, the response from across the city and beyond has been incredible. I knew rigth from the start that with the backing of our fantastic local community, we could reach this target for the hospice, the wonderful staff, the children and families.

“It was clearly a huge ask to raise £5 million in just a few weeks, but as i said at the time, if any city can do it, Liverpool can and I am delighted that Liverpool has indeed delivered.

“From kids dropping their pocket money into a collection bucket and elderly people donating their pension, to local businesses organising fundraising events and celebrities giving generously of their time and money, it really has felt like the whole city has come together over the last four weeks to save Zoe’s Place – just as I knew they would.”

Michelle Wright, Head of Care at Zoe’s Place, said: “Words cannot express how I feel. The fact that we can continue to support our children and families means everything and is all every member of the team has wanted to do. The support from the clinical team, fundraising, and the city of Liverpool and beyond has been overwhelming.

“We are all proud to be from Liverpool and we will embrace the challenge of a new hospice, with the spirit and team work we have shown over the last few weeks. We look forward to supporting many more future families in our new home.”

Matt Meaney, Head of Fundraising, added: “The support we have received from the community in Liverpool and the surrounding areas has been absolutely overwhelming! The families and staff team are so incredibly grateful to every person, business and organisation that has supported us in such a difficult time. We really hope that this marks the beginning of a really bright future for Zoe’s Place in Liverpool –one in which the community feels a sense of pride and involvement in for many years to come.”

Joan Stainsby, Zoe’s Place Executive Trustee, said: “It is utterly amazing the level of support that has been shown to the hospice. The financial generosity of the people and business community of Liverpool have enabled a much-needed service to be able to continue to provide care and support to families and ensure employment for our staff. The Trustees wish to extend their enormous gratitude to Ian Byrne MP, who has worked so tirelessly to ensure the success of this appeal.”

Mr Byrne added: “I could not be more proud right now to be a Scouser, this is Liverpool doing what Liverpool does best. Huge thanks to absolutely everyone who has responded to the call to help save this magnificent hospice for babies and children. It is such a special place, for very special people and Liverpool is a special city that has met the challenge to save it. I cannot thank the people of Liverpool enough.”