Last week to save Zoe's Place

ÂŁ6.4million is needed by Saturday 9 November

Author: Harry BoothPublished 4th Nov 2024

Families who rely on Zoe's Place are appealing for one big last push to help save the baby hospice in West Derby.

A massive fundraising campaign was launched last month after Zoe's Place trustees announced that it would close.

It was because of the time taken to secure planning permission for a new home and because of an increase in costs.

The campaign to raise enough for a new home, and to make sure there's enough to maintain it, has raised more than ÂŁ5.6million so far, with around ÂŁ800,000 needed within the next six days.

Kirsty, whose daughter Lottie uses Zoe's Place, said:

"We've just been so moved by how generous everyone has been. This really is the greatest city, everyone has come together as one big community to help support Zoe's Place.

"We did the walk and it was so amazing seeing so many people coming out, giving us donations, stopping to give us bottles of water, it was just a lovely community spirit - everyone cheering, beeping their horns, it's just been so overwhelming and heartwarming.

"We're going to be so relieved if we manage to meet the target and stay open and I just think we're going to be better off for it. We've come together, so we're stronger now as a family and also as a Zoe's Place family.

"Please, we just need one final push - let's just get that final bit of funding because it's not just about getting enough to open the new building, we need enough to sustain and keep the new building running and pay staff wages - so we just need that last little push, last few donations, come on we've got this!"

A huge ÂŁ2.5million donation from Home Bargains owners TJ Morris helped push the baby hospice closer to the magic ÂŁ6.4million total.

Gina Earnshaw, Senior Corporate and Major Donor Fundraiser for Zoe's Place Liverpool, said:

"The past three weeks might have been the most overwhelming of my existence really! As a professional fundraiser and just as a person that lives in Liverpool, it's really warmed my soul to see the good in people.

"When we were going through this situation, people were genuinely heartbroken and upset at what life could be about Zoe's Place and then Liverpool stepped up and said don't worry, that's not going to happen and that's what means the world to us.

"I'm praying we can do it"

"Based on the fact we've raised over ÂŁ4million in 21 days, it just doesn't feel that impossible anymore.

"I'm praying we can do it, I really am, so keeping my fingers crossed!"

Michelle Wright, head of care at Zoe's Place Liverpool, said:

"It's been a massive rollercoaster. We've gone from being absolutely devastated to being so in awe of the city.

"It's indescribable. We knew when they said they were going to close (the hospice in) Liverpool, that Liverpool was going to pull together, but until you're involved with something like this, you can't imagine.

"Every penny really does help"

"To the celebrities and to Ian Byrne to all those people who've given a few quid here and there, who haven't got much money within this economic crisis at the minute, every penny really does help and everyone that's shared a link, it's made a massive difference and we can't thank the people of Liverpool and beyond enough.

"Hopefully going forward, we will be able to get our new hospice and we will be one of the best hospices in the world hopefully! We're just keeping everything crossed at the minute!"

10-year-old Anthony Demellweek is one of the latest to help raise money after completing 48 miles over 20 miles, which ended with pushing his little sister Amelia, who has used Zoe's Place support, over the finish line.

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