Rallying call to raise last £1million to save Zoe's Place
It follows a huge donation from Home Bargains
A rallying call is being made to help raise the final £1million needed to save Zoe's Place in Liverpool.
The campaign to give the baby hospice a new home has been given a huge boost - after Home Bargains pledged £2.5million.
It has taken the total raised so far to over £5.3million, with the target set at £6.4million.
The deadline to raise this money is 9 November.
The massive fundraising effort was launched earlier this month after trustees at the baby hospice announced that it was planning to close because of the time taken to secure planning permission for a new home - as well as a sharp rise in the projected costs.
More than £2.5million had already been raised before the huge donation from Home Bargains.
West Derby MP Ian Byrne said:
"It's fantastic news. It took my breath away this morning when I received the call from Home Bargains saying that they were going to put £2.5million into the fund, which takes us to just within £1million of the fund to raise Zoe's Place Liverpool, it's just remarkable news, I'm absolutely overjoyed.
"I spoke to all the staff today and you can imagine how jubilant they were. We've got £1million (to raise) now. I said at the outset to the trustees that Liverpool would get this over the line and my word, Liverpool has done exactly what I thought it would, but with bells on!
"Keep going, keep fundraising!"
"Hopefully, within the next week to ten days, we'll get the million. People, keep going! Keep fundraising, keep doing what they're doing, it's been a magnificent effort.
"We'll get there and then hopefully, after November 9, we can get a spade in the ground, we can get commencing on building Zoe's Place Liverpool and move forward with the new organisation.
"I'm so delighted for the staff, the families and so proud of my great city and so thankful that we've got people like the Morris family who, when they see something needed doing, my word they stepped up to the plate today!"
A charity comedy night - featuring the likes of John Bishop, Jason Manford and Russell Kane - was held last night to help raise more money.