Liverpool hospice Zoe's Place announces new name

A Liverpool baby hospice saved from closure after a community fundraising campaign generated more than £6m within a matter of weeks has announced its new name.

Zoe's Place warned in October 2024 that it would have to close by the end of that year unless enough money was quickly raised to keep it going.

To recognise the successful charity appeal, a celebratory concert was held in Liverpool on Thursday, at which the new name for Zoe's Place was revealed as Little Lights Liverpool Baby Hospice.

Fundraising manager Matt Meaney told BBC Radio Merseyside that the name change signalled "a brand new start with a new building on its way".

"Yesterday was really a line in the sand to say thank you for making sure that we are still here," added Mr Meaney.

"Nine months ago we weren't supposed to exist after the end of last year and the city and the region came together to make sure that didn't happen."

The hospice announced in October that it needed to raise £5m within 30 days if it was to be able to secure new premises upon the expiry of the lease at its current site.

Mr Meaney said the concert was also a fundraiser for the hospice's next chapter.

He said the charity, which cares for children under five with chronic or life-limiting conditions, still needed to raise millions of pounds each year to sustain the hospice.

Local artists including Rebecca Ferguson, The Zutons, The Real Thing and Jamie Webster performed at A Celebration of Liverpool Zoe's Place at the M&S Bank Arena.

The hospice's new name was chosen by the public in a competition.

A hospice spokesperson said: "The judges loved the name as it reflects the hospice's unwavering dedication to caring for children with life-limiting conditions and its bright future ahead in a brand-new home in West Derby, due to open in summer 2026."

Speaking after the concert, Jamie Webster said he jogged past the hospice every day "and there's honestly nothing I wouldn't have done to help when I heard they were in trouble".

Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne said: "When Liverpool Zoe's Place was at risk, the people of Liverpool came together and refused to let it disappear.

"This celebration shows the incredible things we can achieve through unity, compassion and community spirit."

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