AN opticians in Redcar has given a funding boost to a local hospice that provides palliative care and respite to seriously ill babies.

Staff at Specsavers in High Street donated £120 gathered during a Euro 2021 sweepstake to Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice; a children’s charity that cares for infants from birth to five years suffering from life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

The donation was given to staff at the hospice in Middlesbrough during a cheque presentation on Tuesday, June 22.

Andrew Higginson, Director at Specsavers in Redcar, said: "We’re delighted to have been able to support Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice; a fantastic charity whose staff provide vital support to local children and families.

"We held a sweepstake among Specsavers’ staff for the Euro 2021 games, but rather than keep the winnings, staff unanimously voted to donate the cash to a local good cause and Zoë’s Place is a charity that we always try to support.

"We hope that our donation will be of some benefit to this very worthy cause and the many families who rely on this service.’

Zoë’s Place was founded in 1995, with the first hospice opened in Liverpool. In 2004 a second Zoë’s Place was opened in Middlesbrough and in 2011 the third opened in Coventry.

Since then, fundraising has continued to provide nurses and specialist equipment for the benefit of babies with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Sara Benson, Corporate and Major Donor Fundraiser at Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice, said: "As a charity we have had amazing continued support from our wonderful friends at Specsavers in Redcar. This support means so much to everyone here and their recent donation will boost our summer fundraising efforts.

"As a result of the incredible continued support of organisations such as Specsavers we have been able to expand on services that were impacted as a result of the pandemic. As of the beginning of June, we have increased our services from three to four nights and from four to five days a week. We are currently open alternate weekends and our next aim is to be able to open every weekend – especially from September as lots of children start school and will need to come into the hospice for short breaks over the weekend.

"Thank you to all the team at Specsavers for taking the time to care and for helping to make a real difference to the lives of our children and their families."