en.Wedoany.com Reported - Martin House Children’s Hospice in Yorkshire, UK, has completed its £21.9 million redevelopment project, "THE BUILD," with new facilities officially opening. The project aims to secure the future of children's palliative care in the Yorkshire region. Martin House Ambassador Sir Gareth Southgate will officiate the opening ceremony.
The project has modernised and expanded the hospice located in Boston Spa, creating new specialist facilities for children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families. New facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, an immersive sensory room, a recording studio, and enhanced clinical spaces. In addition to a new children's wing and a refurbished young people's wing, an education centre will expand the scale of specialist palliative care training in the region.
Work on "THE BUILD" began in autumn 2023, following a major public fundraising campaign. The redevelopment reflects the changing needs of children receiving hospice care – clinical advances mean children are living longer but with increasingly complex conditions.
Thomas, one of the children cared for by Martin House, has a rare genetic condition called ATR-X syndrome, which means he cannot walk or talk, is fed through a gastric tube, and is prone to recurrent chest infections. Thomas's mother, Bethany Harrison, said that thanks to the respite care and symptom management services provided by Martin House, Thomas has been able to avoid hospitalisation. She said: "We couldn't cope without Martin House. They put you and your child at the centre and give us that extra support – like another family member helping us." She mentioned that because of "THE BUILD," the family will have the first opportunity to swim with Thomas in the new hydrotherapy pool; meanwhile, specialist facilities such as piped oxygen in every room mean Martin House can better meet Thomas's changing needs.
Each year, Martin House provides free support services to over 550 children and young people with life-shortening conditions, and around 200 bereaved family members, across West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, and East Yorkshire. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with the majority of its funding coming from voluntary donations and fundraising.
The opening celebration on 5 June will be attended by families cared for by Martin House, supporters, staff, and community partners. Martin House Chief Executive Clair Holdsworth said the launch event will be an incredibly exciting and proud moment for everyone involved. She said: "'THE BUILD' is about so much more than bricks and mortar; it's about creating a modern, family-centred hospice that matches the exceptional quality of care our team delivers every day." Sir Gareth Southgate said it is unforgettable to see firsthand the difference Martin House makes for children, and he has immense respect for the work it does for children, families, and the Yorkshire community.
As the title sponsor of "THE BUILD," Martin House's long-term supporter HARIBO UK played a significant role in making the project a reality. Employees of the company participated in a series of fundraising activities, from charity zip slides to the Leeds Dragon Boat Race, raising crucial funds for the project's transformation. Phil Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer at HARIBO UK, said HARIBO is proud to have supported Martin House throughout the transformation project, helping to create a hospice that will provide the care children and young people in Yorkshire deserve. He said: "We've called Yorkshire home for over 50 years, so contributing to such an important local charity through a long-term partnership means a great deal." He believes that together, they have created a lasting legacy that will change lives and create precious memories.
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