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, plans to move to a new purpose-built site nearby were said to have failed due to rising costs and lack of time.

The planned closure meant 41 staff were at risk of losing their jobs.

It later emerged that the charity would not be able to use the building after June 2025 because the building and its landowners were leaving the Catholic religious order The Institute of Our Lady of Mercy and being sold.

Hopes have been revived after a fundraising campaign backed by West Derby MP Ian Byrne attracted public attention on Merseyside and beyond.

Mr Byrne said he “couldn’t be prouder to be a Scouser right now”.

“From children dropping their pocket money into the collection bucket, to seniors donating their pensions, to local businesses holding fundraisers, to celebrities giving generously of their time and money, we truly have had the feeling of the whole city coming together over the last four years.” I spent weeks trying to save Zoe; “That’s exactly what I knew they would do,” he said.