With an increasing demand for its services, coupled with changes in available funding for respite care, Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice in Middlesbrough has been forced to issue a rallying call to the public to it can continue operarting its essential and unique service.

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Situated in Crossbeck House in Normanby, Zoë’s Place provides palliative, respite and bereavement care for families of babies and children with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses.

Since first opening its doors in 2004, it has cared for more than 350 children. The hospice today has over thirty babies and young children receiving regular nursing care in its special home from home environment.

But now a change in funding for respite care is putting real strain on Zoë’s Place and Mark Guidery, general manager of Middlesbrough, said the hospice is facing having to close for one or two nights each week, leaving families without this precious provision.

Mr Guidery said the impact of this would not only be that the hospice would be unable to offer emergency respite for families but that further cuts to its services may need to be made, and the hospice needs to find £1.5 m a year to keep our doors open.

He said: “We have always had a lot of fantastic support from businesses and individuals alike in the local community, but without a doubt these are the most challenging times we’ve ever faced since opening our doors.

"We have to be prudent and careful with the funds we are entrusted with and to ensure our long term viability we need to ensure we have regular donations from as many different income streams as possible.

"Unless we receive help month in, month out, year in, year out, we won’t be able to continue to help these wonderful children and their families.”

Mr Guidery said many individual supporters choose to donate so much per month from their bank accounts in a regular giving scheme, while companies too can be proactive in encouraging employees to donate through their salaries.

“All funds raised make a huge difference to this amazing hospice. Over the years I have been privileged to meet children who have raised funds for the hospice by selling their own toys.

"At the other end of the age scale we have welcomed supporters at our reception who have made incredible one off donations. Some companies organize fundraising events and charity dinners to benefit the hospice.

"Whatever the donation, it all helps to keep the service our nursing team provides open to families who desperately need it.

“The harsh reality is that without the generosity of the local and regional community we won’t be able to continue to run this vital, unique service for Middlesbrough. It would be heart-breaking to turn away these special children and their families so we need all the help we can get.

“We hope that everyone in Middlesbrough will get behind us by giving regularly. We have to find £1.5 m a year to keep our doors open. If supporters give just £10 a month each via direct debit or call by the hospice to make a one off donation it will help our children and their families to get the care and support they deserve.”

With two sister facilities in Liverpool and Coventry, Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice is the UK’s only dedicated hospice service for babies and young children up to their sixth birthdays.

While the majority of the families using the Middlesbrough facility are local, as long as the staff can provide the appropriate care it is the policy of all Zoë’s Place hospices that no young child is turned away.

The hospice has previously cared for children from places outside of Middlesbrough, including as far afield as Newcastle and Scarborough.