THE DECISION to open Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice everyday now means that the centre must raise £1.1million each year.
In the last 18 months, the generosity of the Coventry and Warwickshire public has seen income double from £500,000 per year to just over £1million.
The move means that fundraisers are now being asked to dig deeper, cycle further and run faster as fundraising manager Mick McCann explains that the public are needed now more than ever.
The hospice has now recruited more nurses and are caring for more sick babies than ever before.
At this time of year, individuals and businesses contact the centre to bring Christmas presents – however the best Christmas present people can give to the hospice is a financial donation.
Just £25 provides one hour of care for a baby at the hospice and Mick explained that five months into the centre’s financial year they are nearly £100k behind budget.
He added: “The best way people can help is to make a regular donation.
“This doesn’t have to be a large donation – if 1000 readers gave just £3 month this would keep the hospice open for 10 days and £600 pays for a child to spend a whole day at the hospice.
“We also encourage people to register for a challenge event and raise sponsorship.
“We are offering free places in the Coventry Half Marathon being held on February 28 and will also be doing a Snowdon Mountain walk.”
Mick told The Observer that he wants businesses and everyone across Coventry and Warwickshire to be proud to have a baby hospice in the city and to share the same passion as the staff.
He added: “I’ve always said that it’s not Mick McCann and the team of Fundraisers at Zoë’s Place that deserve all the credit – it’s the people from across the region.
“We are extremely fortunate to have this state of the art facility in Coventry – it’s the only facility of its kind in the Midlands providing high quality care for under 5’s.
“Can you imagine how much more difficult it would be for parents of babies with complex medical conditions if they had to travel 50 or 60 miles away for a few hours respite care when they are in crisis and need a break.”
Joan Stainsby, trustee at Zoe’s Place, said: “The generosity from the people of Coventry and Warwickshire has been wonderful and indeed has encouraged the trustee’s to make the decision to open the hospice every day.
“However, we need our supporters more than ever as we have now employed more nurses to deliver more care to more families and it’s vital we raise the £1.1m we need to meet our charitable objectives.”
