Dancing through the hospice funding crisis
Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice is gearing up for its most exciting event of the year, Strictly Christmas, which is set to raise over £130,000 to support children and families in the Midlands facing life-limiting conditions. The event, now in its seventh year, will light up the Royal Court Hotel in Coventry with dazzling performances and incredible energy.
At the heart of this year’s Strictly Christmas is Coventry dad Josh Brown, whose son Otis lives with complex epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Josh, along with 23 other contestants, will perform routines with professional dancers to raise critical funds for Zoe’s Place. For Josh and his family, Zoe’s Place has been a lifeline, providing free palliative, respite, and end-of-life care for babies and children aged 0-5 with life-limiting conditions. His participation in this year’s event shines a spotlight on the hospice’s vital work and the importance of community support in ensuring it can continue to operate.
Josh, his wife Terri-Ann, and their son Otis are leading Zoe’s Place’s Christmas Wish Appeal this year, sharing their deeply personal journey to help others understand the impact of the hospice’s care. As the cost of running children’s hospices continues to rise, with a recent survey revealing a £4.9 million increase in the sector’s costs, with each hospice facing an average increase of £134,000 in staffing costs next year. For Zoe’s Place, this could mean the equivalent of shutting down a hospice for one month – a devastating outcome for the families relying on its free palliative and respite care – that’s why fundraising efforts like Strictly Christmas are more crucial than ever.
Strictly Christmas is more than just a dazzling evening of dance – it’s a lifeline for the families who rely on Zoe’s Place. The funds raised during this spectacular event will help meet the hospice’s £1.8 million annual operating costs and ensure that its doors stay open to those who need it most.
“We want Zoe’s Place to be there for other families like ours,” says Terri-Ann, Otis’s mum. “They’ve given us the confidence to enjoy life again, and we are so grateful for their care.”
With the support of celebrities, professional dancers, and the local community, Strictly Christmas promises to be an unforgettable event that showcases the power of community and compassion. The success of the event will play a crucial role in securing the future of Zoe’s Place and the families who rely on its life-changing services.
To support Zoe’s Place this Christmas, visit the Zoe’s Christmas Wish 2024 page to learn more about Otis’s story and contribute to the hospice’s fundraising efforts. Zoe’s Place Christmas Wish Appeal 2024 – JustGiving
Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice provides free palliative, respite, and end-of-life care to babies and children aged 0-5 with life-limiting conditions across its sites in Coventry, Liverpool, and Middlesbrough. Operating with less than 20% statutory funding, the hospice relies on community support to sustain its services.
