and a very warm welcome to our Autumn edition of Impact, demonstrating the incredible difference you are making to local people.
It’s wonderful to be able to reflect on our successes of the first half of the year, celebrating with you – our community – a fantastic milestone fo years of providing outstanding care has only been possible thanks to you and the support you have given us in the past, and as we look to the fu more than ever to help us care today, tomorrow and for generations.
Hospices are facing their toughest challenges, providing vital care in their communities with limited support from the government. Did you know the money we receive is now less than 27% of our running costs? And for Brian House, the money we receive is the second lowest amount across the whole of the UK. Yet the difference we make to the lives of local people is immeasurable.
People who have been touched by our care describe Trinity as a warm hug during the most difficult times. Or a sprinkling of ‘Trinity Dust’ that makes the world of difference when a loved one is nearing the end of their life.
This hug or ‘dust’ exists because of you, and your continued support of our charity. Whether you make a regular donation, take part in our events, hold your own fundraising activities or visit our shops, we care because of you!
It’s with great pleasure that I present our latest newsletter, with the chance to say a very big thank you for choosing to support Trinity Hospice and Brian House Children’s Hospice. Thank you.
Anita Dodd Assistant Director of Clinical Services
A birthday celebration
On 3rd June 2025,Trinity turned 40 years old.
And we celebrated the occasion with a commemorative church service, joined by some of the incredible people who have played a significant part in our journey – colleagues, supporters and volunteers who truly have made Trinity what it is today.
It was a wonderful reflection of our history – the values that created Trinity that still sit at the heart of everything we do – and the belief that every single person living in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre should be able to access consistently good palliative and end of life care. It’s the ambition that set the foundations of the hospice, long before it accepted its first patient in 1985, and that we still strive towards today.
We also celebrated with our community at our first hospice-based garden party since before Covid.
It was wonderful to see hundreds of people join us in our beautiful gardens, enjoying live entertainment and helping to raise over £4,000 for our charity in celebration of our special milestone.
A huge thank you to our colleagues, supporters and volunteers who helped to make these two events possible.
Trinity hopes to receive a total of £820,285, from the Government as part of it’s £100 million funding for hospice care across the country.
We are very grateful for this money, which comes at a time when it costs more just to stand still and our national insurance contributions are significantly greater than before. It means we can still focus on some of the capital projects that otherwise might get neglected as we focus on the cost of caring for our community.
However, because this money is restricted to capital projects – such as building work or replacing old heating systems –which must be spent by March 2026, it doesn’t fill the gap in the increased costs of providing our vital care. And with our buildings being 40 years old, a recent feasibility study has highlighted the need to spend upwards of £5m to keep our Low Moor Road site operational into the next 20 years.
It means we continue to rely on our community – the people we care for – in order to reach everyone who needs our outstanding care on the journey towards the end of life. That’s why we continue to call on the government for long-term reform of how end of life and palliative care services are funded, especially hospices who are now increasingly having to cut back vital services to survive.
Our shops’ anniversary fundraising challenge
This year, to celebrate our 40th anniversary, our 33 shops across the Fylde coast have joined together to raise £40,000 on top of sales.
Our teams have come up with some innovative ways to raise the extra money, supported by their dedicated customers and donors who have got behind their individual challenges.
As well as in-store sales events, we’ve had a raffle to win a bike in Kirkham and an incredible eight-week three towers cycling challenge in South Shore.
Our team of staff and volunteers at our Highfield Road shop completed a 2,494 mile cycling challenge to cover the distance from Blackpool Tower to the Eiffel Tower to the Leaning Tower of Pisa AND BACK!
Using an exercise bike kindly donated by our friends at Your Gym, Lytham, the team raised an impressive £3,200!
Shop manager Victoria Pallister says: “Everybody was pitching in, and some of our volunteers were even popping in to do a few miles when they weren’t on shift! It really was a team effort.
“I’m so proud of the whole team. It’s phenomenal what they did to raise vital funds for our charity. As Trinity celebrates 40 years of incredible hospice care, it’s a great feeling knowing we’re helping to fund the future of the hospice, ensuring our care teams can continue to provide dedicated, compassionate care for all who need them on the journey to the end of their lives.”
Celebrating in memory through our meadow
This summer saw the return of our very special Memory Meadow, giving our community the chance to celebrate and remember their loved ones in a dedicated space in our hospice garden. We dedicated hundreds of Memory Meadow plaques to people who are very much loved and missed. And during our annual Memory Meadow service we blessed them and celebrated the memories of those people that live on in their loved ones. T
Led by our hospice chaplain, the service included reflections, readings, hymns and songs to celebrate the people we love, and to cherish the memory of them.
We’ll soon be sharing details of our Light up a Life service – giving you a meaningful opportunity to remember those you love at Christmastime.
Light up a Life is a very special event, and takes place at Trinity Hospice on Sunday 14th December
www.trinityhospice.co.uk/light-up-a-life
Dementia support is a whole new ball game!
We’ve been able to provide a new sport for people living with dementia to get involved in thanks to grant funding from Sport England.
We’ve been hosting Boccia sessions as part of our monthly Dementia Lounge, and we love hearing about the difference it is making to local people who need our support.
Boccia is a paralympic sport similar to bowls but held indoors with participants who are sat on chairs. We’re able to deliver it with thanks to our friends at Blackpool Football Club Community Trust.
Our Admiral Nurse, Maxine Emslie, says: “Our monthly Dementia Lounge group is always a highlight in our calendar as much as it is for the people we are supporting. We’re so proud of how we use this session to signpost to our dementia support partners across the Fylde coast and ensure that no-one who is living with dementia feels like they are doing so alone.
“Our Boccia sessions have allowed us to add another level of enjoyment to our Lounge, complimenting the music, quizzes and delicious food we already put on. As well as some light exercise, they also create some healthy competition between our guests, and they’re always lots of fun.
“Our guests tell us our Dementia Lounge feels like getting a warm hug, that they feel listened to and they don’t feel alone. They like how there’s always something different going on.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the funding from Sport England and the support from our friends at Blackpool Football Club Community Trust. We’re so grateful to them.”
Did
you know? Last year, our Dementia Lounge supported 619 people. That’s 15% of all local people living with dementia.
We were
treated to a visit by Rhythm of Life
Therapeutic Drumming Group at a Dementia Lounge recently for a wonderful Drumming for Dementia Event.
A very big thank you to the volunteers who joined us for a wonderful session.
Making your milestones matter
Alex and Dan recently got married, and decided to use their special day to support a cause close to their hearts.
So instead of gifts or money towards a honeymoon, the happy couple asked guests to make a donation to Trinity Hospice, in loving memory of Alex’s Nana Cherry, who we were privileged to care for.
In return, guests were presented with a beautiful pin badge to remember the day and the difference they have made.
Alex said: “Nan gained her wings in August 2024, just eight months before our wedding day and although we knew deep down she wouldn’t be with us on our big day, we wanted to make sure that she still played a big part of our day and that she was remembered by those who knew and loved her.
“My hope is that every time our family and friends look at the badge we gave them, they remember her for the strength and determination she showed right until the end.
“Nan battled with cancer for a long time but she was cared for so beautifully by all of the wonderful nurses at Trinity. Nan soon became part of the furniture as her stay ended up being longer than normal, so we soon got to know many of the amazing staff members at the hospice and they couldn’t do enough for us as a family.
“Being able to donate money so that the care can continue for others in need is something that Nan would have wanted and for as long as we can, we will do what we can to fundraise and donate to the hospice to ensure other people get the fantastic care Nan received.”
If you’re holding a special celebration, from weddings and anniversaries to big birthdays and retirements, please consider marking your occasion with a gift to Trinity and Brian House. Help us to make a difference through your celebration. Email esther.lowe1@nhs.net
Scan the QR code to request a copy of our Gifts in Wills brochure.
Jack left a residuary gift of £105,95 0 to Trinity Hospice.
Here’s how we used that generosity to improve patients ’ quality of life and wellbeing whilst also supporting their loved ones:
£57,769.32 care in the hospice – enough to pay for the entire 18-bedded In-patient Unit for six days was spent on patient
£21,627.29 funded our Living Well Service for three weeks helping us to support people at the point of diagnosis to set their own goals and live as well as possible
£18,830
paid for 100 visits from our Community Palliative Care Team to people at home, supporting them where they feel most comfortable
£7,723.39 was spent on providing specialist counselling and support to patients and their loved ones at our Linden Centre
If you would like information about leaving a gift in your will, please email us at giftsinWills@trinityhospice.co.uk.
Singing star Olivia’s kind-hearted gift
When Olivia was turning eight, she asked her parents for a party to celebrate with her friends.
Her dad, Joey Blower, said she could have a party on one condition – that she ask for donations to charity instead of gifts.
“She’d been inspired by how I’ve raised money for charity in the past, and she’s done quite a bit to support Brian House through her school at Rossall recently, so she decided to carry that on and support the children’s hospice through her party,” he said.
The week before the big day, Joey held his annual show, BLOFEST, at Viva Blackpool, where family friend Ricky Hatton shaved his head and the audience gave generously.
At the end of the night, Olivia took centre stage and sang with her dad to capture the audiences’ hearts.
Joey said: “It was my first show since losing my son two years ago, so Olivia coming on was amazing. She was like my comfort blanket and she earned a standing ovation. I was so proud. The fact that she got up on stage and performed so well is testament to the girl that we have. We are so lucky!”
Olivia and her friends, with the help of generous friends at BLOFEST, have raised an incredible £6,550 for Brian House.
Olivia said: “I’m really proud of myself. I was really nervous about going on stage, but once I stepped out there I knew it would be OK. I had a great time.”
BLOFEST 2026 is already scheduled for 23rd-24th May and Olivia’s planning to match or beat this year’s total for Brian House’s 30th birthday.
Carla is a winner!
Carla won our top prize of £1,000 in December and was so surprised to receive the call just a few days before Christmas!
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I never thought I would win when I signed up, it was just a way of giving to Trinity.”
Having seen the care our teams had given to her friends’ families, Carla wanted to show her support by joining the Hospice Lottery and giving regularly to help us continue providing care and support across the Fylde coast.
She added: “The work you do here is incredible and you’re such an important part of the community.”
Every year, more than 676 supporters become winners!
Since 2010 our Hospice Lottery has raised over £4million, could you be our next big winner? With the chance of winning £1,000 weekly, join our Lottery at www.trinityhospice.co.uk/lottery
With her £1,000 win, Carla was able to treat her family and had some extra spending money for her recent holiday.
Carla’s support extends beyond the Hospice Lottery as she also works with one of the generous local companies who supported our Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool art trail for Brian House last year. She’s also looking forward to getting involved in upcoming events and possibly volunteering for us in the future.
We look forward to seeing Carla again soon!
The latest from our dedicated children’s hospice
At Brian House, we’re constantly inspired by the resilience of our children—living with complex health needs—and their families, who quickly learn to provide vital care, whether their child was born life-limited or developed a life-threatening illness later.
Our care is free for every family whose child’s life will be cut short by illness, and we’re here for as long as they need us. This is only possible because of your support.
Thanks to you, we can be there for local families when they need us most. But government support isn’t keeping pace. Nationally, the cost of children’s hospice care has risen by a third over three years, yet funding remains uncertain and is allocated year by year.
Brian House is the second least funded children’s hospice in the UK, receiving just 11% of its costs from the state.
That’s why we’re joining our umbrella charity, Together for Short Lives, in calling for change. We’re asking MPs to be our voice in Parliament—to end short-term funding and secure lasting support for children’s hospices.
Ziva’s story
Ziva is one of the incredible children we support at Brian House.
She just loves coming for overnight stays, and we love to see her smile while she explores our activities or enjoys a trip out with us.
We do this, thanks to you! Ziva was diagnosed at three months old with Down’s Syndrome and, at the same time, doctors picked up a serious heart condition that led to open heart surgery at just two years old.
From there, mum Amanda says they’ve been on a long road, but it’s one that Ziva has taken in her stride, melting the hearts of everyone she comes across.
She says: “I’d kept being told about Brian House, but probably like a lot of people, I thought it was for children who were really poorly and were dying. I just thought ‘my child isn’t like that’. But the more I heard about it, the more I realised they would be able to help.
“We stepped foot in Brian House for our first visit and immediately Ziva was in her element. She was running around, investigating the whole place and keeping everyone on their toes. But that’s just Ziva.”
For Amanda, asking for help from Brian House is a decision she’s never regretted. As well as getting time with her older children away from Ziva’s constant care needs, she gets help and advice any time she needs it over the phone, and Ziva’s siblings are getting much-needed time away through the hospice’s Siblings Group.
She adds: “Ziva loves spending her days at Brian House and she’s getting to do things I can’t do with her, because I can’t split my attention between all the children. Things like swimming, and going to the zoo – she just loves the giraffes!
“I’ve never known a place like Brian House. Everyone there has truly become extended family and each has nothing but unconditional love for all the children they are caring for. That’s not just a job!”
Gaz is raising the smiles
Brian House is lucky to have the support of wonderful people who donate their time as hospice volunteers to bring smiles to young faces and help us support local children who are life-limited.
Gaz comes to Brian House every Friday and spends time playing with the children – and the sillier and messier the game, the better.
“I like to be the silly one,” he said.
“I’m the one who ends up in makeup. I’m the one who ends up in slime and just everything that’s silly. It’s such a break away from the normal day-to-day running of life, and you can just come here and be silly.”
Gaz has been a volunteer at Brian House for three years, inspired after seeing children during his own cancer treatment at The Christie hospital who were going through the toughest of times but still having a smile on their faces.
“It’s something that stayed with me, so I wanted to volunteer at Brian House and I’ve never looked back. It’s brilliant.
“It has a stigma of being a very sad place, but as soon as you walk through the door and start hearing the giggles and the songs being sung and you look at the children’s faces you realise that what they are giving here is so much more. They’re giving them the chance to enjoy the time of just being young without all the other stuff.
“I’ve never been here and not smiled.”
Gaz also supports Brian House as a fundraiser through Setantii MCC Fylde Coast – a generous motorcycle club which visits throughout the year with donations.
He added: “We give as much as we can, because we see the benefit of what comes out of fundraising first hand. Unfortunately, when it comes to fundraising you’d hope that the government would give more, but they’re not. Places like this are so important; they’re a lifeline to so many parents.
“More needs to be done from the bigger aspect, but people who are fundraising are amazing! They do all sorts – they walk on fire, they walk on Lego, they climb mountains. They make money for this amazing cause. Fundraising is paramount, it really is!”
To watch Gaz’s story scan this QR code with your phone
It’s with great sadness that we pay tribute to our life-long friend, Sheila Swann who passed away recently.
Sheila was one of the founding members of Blackpool Friends of Trinity Hospice. As chair of the group, she dedicated so much time over the last 40 years to our hospice. Sheila was constantly busy, thinking of ways to raise vital funds so that we can continue to care for everyone who need us.
Her leadership and guidance of Blackpool Friends Group is greatly missed by all its members.
Her passion for our charity and the difference we make shone through, and she was a much-loved and respected member of our fundraising volunteer group.
Honouring Sheila
Through her continued commitment, Sheila helped to raise a magnificent £324,000 through the Friends group and was also instrumental in raising a further £73,881 through their work with the community. She was always such a strong advocate for the work we do.
From everyone at Trinity Hospice and Brian House, and on behalf of the patients and families we have cared for and supported over the years, thank you Sheila.
Our special thanks
Daisy’s gone the distance
A huge congratulations to our Clinical Operations Manager, Daisy Jackson, who completed her first ever marathon and raised an incredible £6273.54 for Trinity.
Daisy was spurred on by her friends, family and colleagues who dug deep and sponsored her while also supporting her through a gruelling training programme.
She said: “Running the London Marathon was amazing, and I was so proud of myself for really going the distance and managing a good time.
“It was tough, but knowing I was doing it for such an amazing charity –where I am privileged to work and see the difference I am making first-hand –really kept me going.
“A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored me, my colleagues who supported me for the whole journey and my family for being there on the day to watch me cross the finish line. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Festival donations are signed, sealed and delivered
We’re so grateful to our friends at Cuffe & Taylor for once again choosing Trinity Hospice as one of their charity partners for this year’s Lytham Festival.
Our team of 30 volunteers had a fantastic night talking to people from across the region who joined them on Lytham Green for a night with music legend Stevie Wonder. And festival-goers showed how generous they were, donating a total of £2,327 on the night.
Team Yabbitus smash cycle challenge
Wow! Our friends at Team Yabbitus have done it again – an incredible cycling challenge, this time spanning 825 miles from Munich to Rome in just seven days!
The group has raised an astonishing £43,217 for Brian House through sponsorship and fundraising activities in the build up to their adventure.
We know there were some sore legs at the end of it, but we were thrilled to welcome the team back and celebrate with them and their friends, family and supporters.
Well done to everyone involved, and a very big thank you for the incredible efforts you went to in making such a significant difference.
This was the team’s 5th international challenge taking their fundraising total over the last 13 years to over £148,000!
Our Brian House colleagues are Warriors!
Well done to our Brian House team who braved mud, fire jumps, barbed wire and an ice plunge at Total Warrior in Leeds this June!
Their efforts raised an amazing £6,760 to support children with life-limiting illnesses. The team said: “Our children inspire us every day. We knew we had to do this for them!”
Celebrating four decades of dedication
We recently held our celebrating success and long service awards, celebrating the people who have gone above and beyond for our charity...
Debbie Butterworth
We had the privilege of honouring Debbie who has worked in the hospice kitchen for 30 years!
There has been plenty of change at Trinity and Brian House over the last three decades, but Debbie says spending time with patients and seeing the difference hospice care makes to local families is the highlight of her work.
She said: “I get to see patients on the In-patient Unit every day to find out what they would like to eat at mealtimes, and you get to know them. It’s a privilege to spend time with them.
“There has been a lot of change over the last 30 years, probably the biggest change is the increase in the patients we support in the community, caring for people in their own homes.
“Working at Trinity is so rewarding, and to have spent 30 years working here makes me so proud.
“My favourite time to work is Christmas – it’s a honour to be in work and helping to make a difference on such a special day.”
Janet Pendlebury
As we mark a very special milestone for Trinity, it’s with immense gratitude and admiration that we also honour Janet, who has dedicated an extraordinary 40 years to volunteering with us—matching the very lifespan of our hospice.
Janet’s unwavering commitment and kindness has touched many lives, embodying the spirit of Trinity Hospice every step of the way.
She says: “I came to the hospice as a volunteer because I wanted to put something into the care of others. In 1985 I worked at Victoria Hospital as a medical secretary, and as a member of All Hallows Church, Bispham, was invited to look round the hospice prior to the opening.
“I was very impressed by the high standard of decor and furnishings, and the calm and peaceful atmosphere that was being generated by the Matron, Beryl Pearson, (later Beryl Head), whom I had worked with at the hospital, and her staff.
“I felt that I was able to help out as a volunteer on the reception desk, using some of the skills learnt from the hospital. Over the years I feel I have been part of the hospice team and been able, in a small way, to put something into this wonderful place.
“I
have been very blessed to be a volunteer for so many years.”
Another expansion for our shops
We’ve had a busy time on the high street, and are pleased to have added two new shops to our portfolio across the Fylde coast.
Our new Trinity Hospice Superstore was opened in Cleveleys by hospice supporter Cheryl Fergison – actress, singer and all-round entertainer who’s well known for playing Heather Trott on Eastenders, which also celebrates its 40th year this year.
She said: “As I am now a Fylde coast resident, it’s right that my support is for a local charity, and I’ve seen the incredible care that hospices provide for their communities and how much they rely on other people’s generosity.
“I’m committed to using my public profile for good, and this is an excellent charity to support and the right time to do so.
“I met some wonderful people at the hospice recently, and whether they were working there, volunteering or receiving incredible care, their positivity for the charity shone through.
Our Trinity shops raise over £1million every year
“I’m proud to join them.”
At the same time, over in Poulton, our latest Attire by Trinity Hospice dedicated menswear shop was opened by our Poulton Friends of Trinity Hospice volunteers.
Both shops have received excellent feedback in their communities, and are already beating expectations for money raised and items donated.
Join us for our charity fashion shows
Tickets are £15 each and include a complimentary drink and nibbles. Please visit our Trinity Hospice shops in Poulton or Kirkham to purchase tickets.
We’re thrilled to invite you to one of two evenings of fashion and fundraising at our 40th anniversary fashion shows taking place in October.
Join us to grab a bargain and get inspired for your next sustainable fashion outfit.
Thursday 9th October
The Dalmeny Resort Hotel, 19-33 South Promenade, Lytham St
Annes, FY8 1LX
Doors open at 6pm
Friday 17th October
Poulton Community Hall, Vicarage Rd, Poulton, FY6 7BE
Doors open at 6pm
Community Corner
Every Wednesday from September
Wilson’s Dance – Afternoon Tea Dance
Bispham Community Centre, 1pm-3.30pm
27th September
Trinity Hospice Annual Fundraising Ball
Blackpool Tower Ballroom
4th October
Blackpool Glow Walk Tower Festival Headlands, Blackpool
11th October
Poulton Friends’ coffee morning & Christmas card sale
