Zoe’s Place has managed to hit their funding target of £6.4 million in just four weeks.
The city of Liverpool came together to raise money for the baby hospice so they could keep their doors open for the people who need them the most.
The likes of Steven Gerrard, Claire Sweeney and John Bishop all got involved. As well big companies such as a Liverpool-based retailer TJ Morris, which trades as Home Bargains, who pledged £2.5m to the fund. Local businesses including Montirex and the Hot Water Comedy Club raised hundreds of thousands.
MP for West Derby, Ian Byrne, was at the forefront of the campaign encouraging everyone to do their bit.
He said: “It was a momentous four weeks really. We went from where we were, the place was going to shut by December, to where we are now which is a different world and a new Zoe’s (Place) on the horizon.”
“I had faith in the city, but it exceeded my expectations. It was remarkable from the first day, they had an action board a Zoe’s with the fundraisers who were just unbelievable working around the clock, and you just saw it populate in a matter of hours.”
All over the city people were taking part in fun runs, charity golf games, comedy gigs and so much more. It is testament to Liverpool’s work ethic and sense of community when one of their own needs it most.
Now that they have raised the money the hospice will be able to stay open and continue to help the children and families in need of their support.
MP Ian Byrne continued: “We need more statutory funding; the funding model needs to be completely changed because the current one is absolutely broken.”
“I think there is about 84% of children hospices currently in the red and that’s really worrying because, I’m not saying Liverpool is unique in what it’s done but Liverpool is a unique city to raise that money in that period of time and that might not happen in other places so they couldn’t rely on a city coming together like Liverpool did.”
He added: “It’s been a breath of fresh air to see the positivity coursing through the veins of the city because of Zoe’s (place) and also showing the power of the City and I’ve had many Parliamentarians comment over the past few weeks what a wonderful job Liverpool has done, coming together the way it does.”
“An offshoot of what has been achieved through Zoe’s (Place), the city has got a bounce in its step and that’s welcome and it was much needed. Hopefully we can build on that now.”
