Martin House children's hospice forced to furlough staff as it battles cash crisis

A West Yorkshire hospice that has seen a "total collapse" in its voluntary income fears that even this week's government intervention won't be enough.
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Wetherby based children’s hospice, Martin House, is set to benefit from a £750m government aid package to charities in the UK as part of its response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Martin House will receive a share from the fund, announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak, which includes £200m earmarked specifically for hospices - but is still doesn't know what its share will be.

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Martin Warhurst, chief executive of Martin House, said: “This money is a welcome relief in the short-term, but it in no way makes up for the loss of our voluntary income, and the lockdown is still hurting us badly."

Martin House at Wetherby.Martin House at Wetherby.
Martin House at Wetherby.

The hospice has seen a total collapse in its voluntary income since the lockdown restrictions, imposed on March 23, which has forced it to close its charity shops and cancel fundraising events.

It expects to lose £1.7m in three months due to the lock down, and estimates it could see income fall by between £4m and £7.4m in the coming 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It relies on fundraising for nearly 90 per cent of its £9m a year running costs, as it provides care to more than 400 babies, children and young people across the region with life-shortening conditions.

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Mr Warhust said Martin House may be forced to re-assess the services it offers in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Martin Warhurst, the chief executive of Martin House hospice.Martin Warhurst, the chief executive of Martin House hospice.
Martin Warhurst, the chief executive of Martin House hospice.

He added: "We don't know the detail yet of exactly how much we will receive, so while this money will help us to provide a frontline service to children and young people, aiding the NHS during this crisis, we are still very concerned, as it doesn't cover our total running costs.

"Depending on how long the lockdown lasts, and just as importantly how long it takes the economy to recover from the pandemic, we will have to look at our service and how we can make savings to make sure we can still be here, caring for the families who need us."​

It has launched an urgent online appeal, which has so far raised around £35,000, but is also now furloughing some non-care staff under the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in a bid to save money.

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Mr Warhurst added: “It’s far from an ideal solution, but we have no other choice. I want to emphasise that our care team is still here, and we are still providing expert, specialist care to children and young people.

“Martin House has been here for families in Yorkshire for more than 30 years, and we are doing everything we can to make sure we are still here when we emerge from this crisis.”

You can donate to Martin House’s online appeal at www.martinhouse.org.uk/urgentappeal.