TWO Wirral schoolgirls have organised a fundraising walk in support of a Merseyside hospice facing closure at the end of this year.
Eight-year-olds Sadie Barrowcliff and Mia Hough, who both attend Co-op Academy Woodslee school in Bromborough, were described as "genuinely sad" after they heard about Zoe's Place possibly closing down at the end of the year and decided to do what they could to help.
Sadie has been making posters to raise awareness and they both came up with the idea to do a charity walk up Moel Famau, which is due to take place this Saturday (October 19).
Their campaign has, so far, raised more than £500. To support their fundraising efforts, click here
The school are behind them and supporting them.
The girls said: “Some children aren’t as lucky as we are who are poorly and need extra special care that they get from Zoe’s Place Hospice.
"We want the hospice to stay open to support the children and families.”
However, a spokesperson for the trustees confirmed last Monday that delays in securing planning permission mean there was 'insufficient time for the project to be completed, forcing the centre to close at the end of the year.
The decision to close comes only nine months before the charity’s lease for its current home on Yew Tree Lane ends.
In a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) Claire House said it will offer palliative and end-of-life care to any babies or children currently under the care of Zoe’s Place.
Read more: Claire House pledges support for Merseyside children's hospice facing closure
A statement issued by the trustees at Zoe’s Place that closure decision had been made with 'great sadness'.
A fundraising campaign has so far raised more than £1.6m of a £5m target.
Thousands of people have also signed a petition of support for the hospice.
Joan Stainsby, executive trustee, said: "When the trustees spoke to the team at Zoe's Place Liverpool on Monday, just like the families we support, we had found ourselves in a position of very little hope.
"The positivity, generosity and commitment to our cause we have seen since our announcement has been both overwhelming and uplifting.
"The chances of finding an alternative home for Zoe's Place Liverpool still seem slim.
"But it is heartening to know that our staff team, and the people of Liverpool, will help ensure that every possible opportunity is exhausted before we are forced to close.
"We are so grateful to have the backing of Ian Byrne MP and the Liverpool community, who are committed to helping us raise the funds needed to prevent the closure of our hospice."
To support the JustGiving for Zoe’s Place in Liverpool, click here
More than 3,000 people have signed a petition to as the campaign to save the hospice showing the strength of local support for the hospice,
The petition starter writes: "Over 50 families will lose the home from home service that provides 1:1 care for children aged 0-5 with complex and life-limiting needs.
"The families and staff need the support of everyone to stop this from happening, this IS the only baby hospice in Liverpool and for a lot of families there is no other support."”
To sign the petition, click here
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