The city is rallying to support the campaign to keep Zoe’s Place open
A banner supporting the campaign to save children’s hospice Zoe’s Place was held on the Kop before Liverpool played Chelsea today. The Reds face the London side at Anfield this afternoon, looking to return to the top of the Premier League table.
Just before kick off at 4.30pm, a banner reading ‘Save Zoe’s Place’ was held aloft by fans on the Kop. It comes as the city rallies to save the vital hospice, which provides crucial end-of-life and palliative care to babies and infants and offers respite for their families.
Liverpool FC said it has been exploring ways it can help to save the West Derby hospice since news broke earlier this month that it could be forced to close before the end of the year. A city-wide campaign has been launched to try and raise the £5 million that Zoe’s Place needs for a new home before November 9. Big names from across the city and beyond have pledged their support while countless members of the public and local businesses are all doing their bit.
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LFC stepped in with a major donation of £150,000 earlier this week via its former player’s association. The funding has been made possible thanks to cash raised by LFC and its supporters at annual fundraising events, such as the Forever Reds Golf Day, Christmas Lunch and LFC Foundation Legends game.
Chairman of Forever Reds, John Aldridge, said: “When we heard the news about Zoe’s Place, we wanted to do our bit and support with vital funds. I visited the hospice last year as part of our previous donation to the charity and seeing first-hand the work they do was incredible and very emotional.
“We hope this donation can help make a difference and that the ongoing campaign will reach its target and enable this fantastic charity to continue its great work supporting local families.
“Thank you to everyone who has donated to Forever Reds whether that’s attending one of our events or the annual LFC Foundation’s Legends game. It means a lot to put this money back into our local community.”
Johnathan Bamber, LFC’s chief legal officer and exec sponsor of Forever Reds, added: “It’s heartbreaking to hear about the uncertainty of Zoe’s Place’s future in Merseyside. We really wanted to do something on behalf of the club and this donation from the Forever Reds charitable events will hopefully make a difference to the campaign.”
Gina Earnshaw, senior corporate and major donor fundraiser said: “We are so grateful for the support from Forever Reds. These types of donations will help us to secure a future in Liverpool. We still have a long way to go to reach our target. But this type of support gives us the hope that we will get there.”
Next Saturday, ECHO staff members will walk from our city centre office to Zoe’s Place and back again in order to raise money for the charity. You can donate to the ECHO’s fundraiser by clicking here.
