Staff and volunteers at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in Huddersfield say they are “blown away” by the amazing reaction to its £1 million emergency appeal.

The hospice warned of a funding crisis which threatens 16 jobs – and in just a week the West Yorkshire community has raised £100,000.

As well as money there’s been an outpouring of support from well-wishers including many families the charity has helped over the past 13 years.

Forget Me Not launched the urgent appeal after announcing it was £1 million short of the funds needed to cover services in the current financial year.

As a result of rising staff and energy costs, uncertainty over future statutory funding and a tough year for fundraising, the charity is also looking at ways to permanently reduce its annual running costs by 12% (£750,000) per year, meaning some staff redundancies and changes to the ways care is delivered.

 

 

Forget Me Not chief executive Gareth Pierce (above) said: “It’s been a fantastic response to our appeal. Everyone at Forget Me Not has been truly blown away by the kind words, offers of help and donations.

“Local people and local businesses have dug deep to support us, as they always do, raising over £100,000 so far.

“That’s a lot of money in just a week but we’ve still got a long way to go to raise the £1 million we need to save vital services, so we’re asking everyone to continue doing what they can to support us.

“Our team have been so touched by the many stories families have shared through our social media, powerfully demonstrating how essential our support is for children and families in West Yorkshire.”

One father who has been at the forefront of the urgent appeal is Steve Lord, whose family has been supported by the children’s hospice since his son Ethan, 10, was diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) two years ago.

Ethan’s condition has left him unable to talk, walk or feed himself and he needs round the clock care.

Ethan often spends time at Russell House, Forget Me Not’s purpose-built hospice facility in Huddersfield, where he enjoys respite care, hydrotherapy and music therapy while his family get a welcome chance to recharge their batteries.

Steve said: “That’s a great start – what amazing generosity people are showing! But we still have a long way to go to save vital services.

“If everyone who saw the news or one of the appeal posts on social media donated just £1 we could protect the future of services that families like ours so desperately need.”

Local MPs Harpreet Uppal (Huddersfield), Paul Davies (Colne Valley) and Kim Leadbeater MBE (Spen Valley) also released a statement of support, calling on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to “take urgent action to expand the National Children’s Hospice Grant and secure sustainable funding for hospices like Forget Me Not.”

Donations to the charity’s urgent appeal can be made by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/forget-me-not-urgent-appeal.

Other ways to help and more details on the financial crisis that Forget Me Not faces can be found at www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk.