Zoe’s Place hospice saved by massive public effort

Zoe’s Place, which also operates in Middlesbrough and Coventry, opened its Liverpool hospice in 1995.

In October it said a plan to move to a new purpose-built site nearby had fallen through due to spiralling costs and a lack of time.

The planned closure meant 41 members of staff faced losing their jobs.

It later emerged the charity could not use the building beyond June 2025 because the building and land owners, Catholic order The Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, were leaving and selling up.

Hopes were restored after a fundraising campaign, supported by West Derby MP Ian Byrne, gained traction with the public in Merseyside and beyond.

Mr Byrne said he “could not be more proud right now to be a Scouser”.

“From kids dropping their pocket money into a collection bucket, and elderly people donating their pension, to local businesses organising fundraising events and celebrities giving generously of their time and money, it really has felt like the whole city has come together over the last four weeks to save Zoe’s – just as I knew they would,” he said.