Liverpool residents have come together to support Zoe’s Place, a baby hospice that provides care for children with life-limiting conditions from birth to the age of five. The charity is facing the threat of closure due to the expiration of its lease on the current site and the need to raise £5m for a new building.
The fundraising efforts have been met with overwhelming support from the community, with half of the required amount already donated in a matter of weeks. People have been participating in physical challenges, social media campaigns, and donations to help save the charity.
Local celebrities, including former Liverpool FC footballers Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, as well as actor Claire Sweeney, have also pledged their support. Liverpool football fans even displayed a “Save Zoe’s Place” banner at Anfield during a game, raising £150,000 for the hospice.
The charity provides crucial support to families in Merseyside and surrounding areas, with about 50 families benefiting from the services each year. If the hospice were to close, families would lose access to vital care and support, leaving them with limited options for respite care.
One parent, Steph Perry, shared how Zoe’s Place has been a lifeline for her three-year-old daughter with spina bifida, emphasizing the devastating impact of the closure on families who rely on the services provided by the charity.
The current location of Zoe’s Place is owned by a Roman Catholic order, which plans to sell the land. Despite securing planning permission for a new building on another site, the charity faces challenges due to increased costs and the need to raise additional funds to meet the new budget.
Founded in 1995 by Prof Jack Scarisbrick, Zoe’s Place holds significant importance to the community, with its name symbolizing the “gift of life” in Greek. The outpouring of support from residents, celebrities, and football fans demonstrates the deep connection and commitment to preserving the vital services provided by the charity.
As the fundraising efforts continue, the hope is that the community’s collective support will enable Zoe’s Place to secure the necessary funds and continue its essential work of caring for children with life-limiting conditions and providing support to their families.