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Bebington's Claire House Children's Hospice needs your help, and has launched a £10 million appeal called Make The Hospice Happen to create Liverpool's first 24/7 children's hospice children's hospice.
The Wirral charity, which has supported families across Merseyside from its Bebington hospice since December 1998, says children in Liverpool are currently missing out on vital care because there is no children's hospice providing end of life care.
Some families have to travel across the Mersey to Wirral at the most difficult time ever, while children who are too ill to make the journey miss out on hospice care altogether.
The hospice has already secured planning permission to expand its West Derby site in Liverpool into a round-the-clock children's hospice. Planning was secured for the hospital expansion back in July 2026.
Now, they're asking for people, communities, and local businesses to help the dream become a reality.
'Children shouldn't miss out because of where they live'
David Pastor, CEO of Claire House, said: "Why should children in Liverpool miss out simply because of where they live? They shouldn't. This is not right.
"In Merseyside and Cheshire, a child dies every two days. Sadly, there is currently no children's hospice providing 24/7 end-of-life care in Liverpool, meaning too many families face difficult journeys when they need support most. Some families are missing out altogether because it's impossible for them to travel.
"This is about giving Liverpool's children, young adults and families the same access to hospice care, the same choice and the same support that families on the Wirral already have.
"We have planning permission. We know the need is there. Now we need everyone to make the hospice happen."
Mum shares family's experience
Kate Jones, whose son Josh died, said the family had wanted him to spend his final moments at Claire House but he was too ill to travel to Wirral.
"If the West Derby site was up and running, we absolutely would have preferred him to be transferred so he could pass there instead of in the hospital," she said. "We wouldn't have chosen a hospital for him."
What the new hospice would offer
The improved West Derby site would provide two dedicated end-of-life care bedrooms and six respite bedrooms, giving children and young adults access to expert round-the-clock care.
Two Butterfly Suites would give families a peaceful and private place to spend precious time together after a child has passed.
If the money is raised, the hospice could support twice as many families, jumping from around 500 to 1,000 families.
The development could allow Claire House to support twice as many families, increasing from around 500 to 1,000.
The charity's Wirral hospice will continue to operate as normal. Claire House will temporarily relocate its Liverpool day services while demolition work begins on the West Derby site early next year.
To donate to the appeal, visit: https://www.clairehouse.org.uk/make-the-hospice-happen
