By Joshua Robinson – 

Staff and volunteers at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in West Yorkshire have expressed their amazement at the overwhelming response to their urgent appeal, launched earlier in December.

In the first week, the hospice raised £100,000 and received hundreds of messages of support, many from families the charity has helped over the past 13 years.

Funding Shortfall Prompts Urgent Appeal

The urgent appeal was launched following the hospice’s announcement of a £1 million shortfall in funding needed to cover the cost of its services for the current financial year.

Rising staff and energy costs, uncertainty over future statutory funding, and a challenging year for fundraising have forced the charity to consider permanent annual running cost reductions of 12% (£750,000).

This could result in staff redundancies and changes in care delivery.

Community Rallies Behind Appeal

Forget Me Not’s Chief Executive, Gareth Pierce, expressed his gratitude for the community’s response: “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 businesses have dug deep to support us, 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.”

Pierce also highlighted the emotional impact of the many stories shared by families through social media, demonstrating the essential support provided by the hospice to children and families in West Yorkshire.

Personal Stories Highlight Hospice’s Importance

One father, Steve Lord, has been at the forefront of the appeal. His family has been supported by the 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, requiring 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 gets a much-needed break.

Steve Lord, who attended an All-Party Parliamentary Group on children’s hospice funding in Westminster with Gareth Pierce in November, 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.”

Support from Local MPs

Local MPs Harpreet Uppal (Huddersfield), Paul Davies (Colne Valley), and Kim Leadbeater MBE (Spen Valley) have also shown their support, urging 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.”

How to Help

Donations to the charity’s urgent appeal can be made by visiting Forget Me Not’s JustGiving page.

For more ways to help and more details on the financial crisis facing Forget Me Not, visit Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

Read more statements of support from families on Forget Me Not’s Facebook page.