‘In an age of corporate greed this is a great example of genuine compassion for the city’
Praise has flooded in for Liverpool-based Home Bargains after they pledged a massive £2.5 million to the campaign to save baby hospice Zoe’s Place. The huge contribution is a ray of hope for the vital centre, which is now well on course to remain in the city.
Earlier this month, devastated staff at the West Derby hospice, which has provided palliative and end-of-life care for babies and young children since 1995, were told that the centre would be closing by the end of the year. The charity, which runs the hospice – and has other sites across the country – had been trying to raise money for a new home, with their current lease in Yew Tree Lane, set to expire next year, but said they had run out of time.
News of the closure sparked a huge city and region-wide campaign, with people told that £5 million needed to be raised within just 30 days if there was to be any hope of saving Zoe’s Place in Liverpool. The campaign has seen people from all walks of life doing their bit to raise money for this most-cherished facility, including celebrities from Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett to Claire Sweeney and Steven Gerrard.
Today the campaign has received its biggest donation yet – one that means that Zoe’s Place Liverpool is now well on course to be saved. TJ Morris Ltd, the company that owns discount chain store Home Bargains has pledged a huge £2.5m to the cause. This significant contribution accounts for half of the £5 million funding gap required to keep the hospice open and means that £1 million is needed in the next two weeks to take the total across the finish line.
DONATE TO SAVE ZOE’S PLACE HERE
Home Bargains is a Liverpool institution, starting life as one store – then called Home and Bargain – in Old Swan in 1976. It was established by Tom Morris at the age of just 21 and has grown into a retail empire of more than 500 stores across the UK. Mr Morris has become the richest Liverpudlian to have ever lived.
Since news of the enormous contribution broke, people have taken to social media to praise the company. On X, formerly Twitter, one user commented: “Home and Bargains more like Home and Legends!! Absolutely phenomenal donation from Home and Bargains owners for Zoe’s Place!!”
Willie Miller added: “In an age of corporate greed this is a great example of genuine compassion for the city. Well done to all.” Sabby Khatri said: This is amazing, well done Home Bargains. It’s even more remarkable they haven’t even tweeted about it, most companies would be blowing their own trumpets till the end of time, not them though. They just let everyone else (rightly) sing their praises for them.”
A fourth said: “Tom Morris has not forgotten his roots, I’ve been to many charity events where nearly all the raffle prizes were donated by him. This is great.” Gilliam Turner wrote: “That’s amazing. I know where I’m doing my big shop for toiletries and cleaning supplies this month and every month from now on.” Ruth Waterton added: “It shouldn’t be necessary, but by God, Scousers are an impressive lot.”
Many pledged to spend their money at Home Bargains, and encouraged others to do the same. One user wrote: “If you can and they have what you need I suggest we shop in Home Bargains. What a wonderful gesture.” Sue Cross added: “Brilliant News. Huge thanks go to Home Bargains, for such a huge and generous donation! I will definitely shop there in future!”
Tom Farrelly said: “Hope everyone now shops at Home Bargain and it comes back to them tenfold. What a fantastic gesture to keep this amazing charity going.”