Fundraising night at The Grand in Southport raises thousands for Zoe's Place

Kind-hearted campaigners came together at The Grand in Southport as they raised thousands of pounds to save Zoe’s Place children’s hospice in Liverpool.

Zoe’s Place is facing closure by the legend of the year unless it can find sufficient financial support to keep going.

Southport residents have played their part by coming together in a heart-warming show of support for the charity, in a fundraising night.

Local businesses showed their generosity too, donating a wide range of prizes to help towards the final total.

Zoe's Place — Credit: Kevin Brown Photography

Tickets at the glittering event cost £60 per person with guests enjoying a delicious three-course meal, fantastic live entertainment, and plenty of dancing in the elegant surroundings of The Grand on Lord Street.

Event organiser Jeff Sullivan said:

“We would like to thank our amazing neighbours and friends who organised and supported our ball to save Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.

“The call to take the challenge gave the organisers a 15 day turnaround to plan and secure a venue to have our ball, as Zoe’s Place has a 30 day deadline to raise £5 million.

“Our thoughts were an attempt to be the ‘Voice of the Children who use Zoe’s’.

“These children often have life-shortening illnesses and conditions and complex needs. It may be a simple interpretation of the children’s voices, but we assert them saying, ‘Zoe’s is our special place and helps us and our families have some crucial respite, don’t let us lose this special place’.

“We thank the many companies in the business community in Southport who supported our event. Special thanks to Little Sparks, HSBC, Barron’s Financial services, Yaffe Photography, Simon Ford Jewellers, Specsavers and so many others who donated fantastic raffle prizes.

“Thanks to The Grand for helping make this ball such a success and our guests and to everyone who provided the live music. They include Spella, Hayley Murray & The Proprietors, and compere Hayley Murray, who kept everybody engaged and entertained; and on the decks the incredible Baz Todd.

“We were delighted to raise an estimated grand total of £4,800.

“Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice is a lifeline for so many families in our community, providing care and comfort during incredibly difficult times.

“If we lose Zoe’s Place, we lose a crucial lifeline for many children and families.

“Those who can continue to help Zoe’s Place can donate directly through their website.”

Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group Chairman Andrew Mikhail said:

“It was a privilege to have been able to host the evening and we’re hugely thankful to the event organisers for choosing us.

“What an amazing job they did for such a wonderful cause.

“We support many families and charities throughout the year and we will be sure to continue to add Zoe’s Place to our calendar year in 2025.

“We look forward to continuing our support to Zoe’s Place over the coming months and years. “Merseyside is such an amazing place where we stick together at all costs and fight our way out of adversity.

“It’s great to be a tiny part of it.”

Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice provides essential palliative and respite care for babies and young children up to the age of five with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

The hospice offers a haven of care and support to families, helping them through some of their most difficult times.