Wesleyan pledges £600,000 to Birmingham charity fund

THE UK’s first palliative care support centre for children and their families, which is based at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, is a step closer after securing a major boost to its fundraising.

The fundraising, carried out by city-based financial mutual Wesleyan, has hit the £600,000 mark.

The initiative, intended to help build the care centre – Magnolia House – in the gardens of BCH, is now on course reach the £1m needed by the end of the year.

Magnolia House will be the UK’s first purpose-built support centre for families who receive life-changing or difficult news while at the hospital. Work has already begun at the site, due to open in September, and the money raised by Wesleyan and the charity’s other supporters will go towards completing private counselling rooms, a lounge, a play area for brothers and sisters of terminally ill children and a peaceful garden.

Aside from Wesleyan’s fundraising, one of the main drivers of the appeal has been the publication of a specially-commissioned children’s book ‘The Unstoppable Maggie McGee’.

More than 7,000 copies have already been sold, with the book being stocked by city retailers Selfridges and Waterstones.

Liz McKenzie, Wesleyan’s Chief Operating Officer and chair of its Charity Advisory Committee, said: “The fundraising so far has been incredible, we’re grateful for everyone who has supported our work – but there is still a long way to go.

“Magnolia House reflects BCH’s tireless mission to provide the best possible support for its patients and their families. The pioneering building will be so much more than a facility for the people that it will support, and the amazing fundraising work by our staff, customers, suppliers, business contacts and the wider community is a true testament to such a compelling cause.

“With the building work now well underway we will continue to push forward, together with the charity, towards the £1m target. Our work with The Big Read in the summer and the ongoing efforts of all those involved will ensure that Magnolia House is ready to start making a real difference.”

Nicki Fitzmaurice, Palliative Care Lead at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “Around a hundred life-changing conversations happen here at the hospital each year and currently there is no dedicated space to cater for them and the difficult times that follow.

“Those going through this require a safe-haven for them to process the information, as well as an ongoing place to gain solace and support.

“Magnolia House hopes to lead the way in palliative care by providing the much-needed space for patients and their families, setting the standard and developing the support offered within this area of the healthcare profession.”

As the charity’s largest corporate donor, Wesleyan will continue its commitment to raising its £750,000 pledge towards the £1m target.

Upcoming activity includes a partnership with The Big Read, a literacy project that will take place this summer across the West Midlands, where it will launch its own ‘The Unstoppable Maggie McGee’ book bench at the Library of Birmingham.