Sir Gareth Southgate to open new-look £21.9m Martin House Children's Hospice
Posted by The Editor
Martin House Children’s Hospice is officially opening the doors to its new-look building following the completion of a major £21.9m redevelopment project - THE BUILD.
On Friday 5th June, Sir Gareth Southgate, a Martin House ambassador, will perform the ribbon cutting at a special launch event. The celebration will be attended by families who receive care from Martin House, supporters, staff, and community partners.
THE BUILD was designed to safeguard the future of children’s palliative care across Yorkshire. It has modernised and expanded the Boston Spa hospice, creating new specialist facilities for children and young people with life-shortening conditions, and their families.
New facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, immersive sensory room, recording studio, and enhanced clinical spaces. Alongside a new children’s wing and refurbished teenage wing, a new Education Centre will expand specialist palliative care training across the region.
Work on THE BUILD began in autumn 2023, following a major public fundraising appeal. The redevelopment reflects the changing needs of children receiving hospice care, as clinical advancements mean children are living longer with increasingly complex conditions.
Bethany Harrison’s son Thomas is supported by Martin House, with respite stays and symptom management helping to keep him out of hospital. Thomas has a rare genetic disorder called ATR-X Syndrome, which has left him unable to walk or talk. He is fed through a gastric tube and is prone to recurrent chest infections.
Bethany said: “We wouldn’t cope without Martin House. They put you and your child at the centre, giving us that extra level of support - it’s just like another member of the family to help us.
“Because of THE BUILD, we will have our first chance to swim with Thomas as a family in the new hydrotherapy pool. Martin House is also better equipped than ever to meet Thomas’s changing needs, with specialist facilities such as piped oxygen in every room.
“Martin House is a lifeline for my family, and now that lifeline is bigger and better than ever.”
Every year, Martin House supports more than 550 children and young people with life-shortening conditions, and around 200 bereaved family members, across West, North and East Yorkshire. Its services are provided free of charge, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with the majority of funding coming from voluntary donations and fundraising.
Clair Holdsworth, chief executive said: “The launch event is going to be an incredibly emotional and proud moment for everyone connected to Martin House.
“THE BUILD is so much more than bricks and mortar. It’s about creating a modern, family-focused hospice that matches the extraordinary quality of care our teams provide every day. Children, young people and families will now experience a more spacious, welcoming and state-of-the-art environment, designed to support them in the best possible way.
“We would never have reached this moment without the incredible support of people, businesses and communities across Yorkshire."
Sir Gareth Southgate said: “Seeing firsthand the difference Martin House makes for children - giving them somewhere to escape and feel supported - has really stayed with me. It’s that personal, tailored care that makes it so powerful.
“I have huge admiration for the work they do for children, families, and the wider Yorkshire community. The hospice is a vital support for local families, and it genuinely transforms the lives of young people with life-shortening conditions every single day.”
As headline sponsor of THE BUILD, long-term Martin House supporter HARIBO UK played a major role in helping bring the redevelopment project to life. Colleagues from across the business took part in a range of fundraising events, from charity zipwires to the Leeds Dragon Boat Race, helping raise vital funds for the transformation.
Phil Murphy, chief marketing officer at HARIBO UK, said: “HARIBO has been privileged to support Martin House throughout this transformational project, helping create a hospice that will provide the care children and young people across Yorkshire deserve.
“We’ve called Yorkshire our home for more than 50 years, so it means a great deal to contribute to such an important local charity through our long-term partnership. Together, we’ve helped create a lasting legacy that will transform lives, create precious memories, and allow the families that Martin House support to enjoy some moments of joy together, now and for years to come.”
Clair added: “Demand for children’s palliative care continues to grow, with more children living longer with increasingly complex conditions. THE BUILD ensures Martin House can continue adapting to those needs and supporting even more families across Yorkshire when they need us most.”
