LFC Foundation makes donation to Zoe's Place baby hospice
LFC Foundation has pledged a £50k donation to Zoe's Place baby hospice in Liverpool.
The official charity of Liverpool Football Club will match the donation made by Reds star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain last week.
The midfielder visited Zoe’s Place back in April, alongside LFC Foundation, to help raise awareness of the vital services the centre provides to local families.
Zoe’s Place is an independent registered charity which offers palliative, respite and end-of-life care to babies and infants aged from birth to five years who suffer from life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.
After meeting with the children and their families, Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “These families are going through things I can’t even begin to imagine. Their grace and dignity in the face of unspeakable pain is truly humbling.”
LFCTV GO: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain visits Zoe's Place
LFC Foundation is match-funding Oxlade-Chamberlain’s donation thanks to the support of Reds fans who attended the sell-out Legends charity match in March.
Matt Parish, director of LFC Foundation, said: “Zoe’s Place is an amazing local cause which helps thousands of families who are facing extremely difficult circumstances.
“As the centre relies on donations to continue offering its incredible service, we wanted to join Alex in pledging our support.
“This donation will make a huge difference to the hospice and it’s thanks to our fantastic fans for turning out in force at the Legends game earlier this year.”
Zoe’s Place receives a small annual government grant from NHS England - which makes up 14 per cent of the £1.6million it needs each year - and the remaining funds come predominantly from donations made by members of the general public.
The £100k total donation from Oxlade-Chamberlain and LFC Foundation could cover four full-time qualified paediatric nursing posts for one year, or 22 days of care at the hospice - which equates to providing 140 children with full-time nursing care and support.
Carol Kirkham, fundraising manager at Zoe’s Place, added: “The increase in demand for our services has put ever more pressure on our fundraising activities.
“The donation from Alex and the LFC Foundation is an essential lifeline to our families and helps to ensure we can keep the doors of our hospice open.
“We cannot thank Alex and the Foundation enough for not only providing much-needed financial support but for also creating special memories for our families.”
For more information on Zoe’s Place or to make a donation, click here.