Save Bolton Hospice is backed by Cllr Hilary Fairclough

The hospice has served the people of Bolton for over three decades since its opening in 1992. 

The well-loved hospice on Chorley New Road runs a total of 16 beds along with a range of other services including a Hospice at Home service and Welfare Hub.

Bolton Hospice relies on a combination of private donations and fundraising, some of it left in people’s wills, with contributions from the government via the NHS.

However, it was recently revealed in a Westminster debate that the hospice is running at a £1.2million loss and could be forced to cut nearly a third of its beds. 

At the hospice for Light up a Life (Image: Public)

The Bolton News recently launched its 'Save Bolton Hospice' campaign to help reduce the deficit, aiming to raise an initial £100,000.

Cllr Hilary Fairclough said: "My fellow Astley Bridge councillor, Cllr Wild, used the hospice, it was wonderful. We were able to communicate by chatting over the phone or on Teams, partly because it was Covid time and that you can't have everybody around the beds.

"There is absolutely no doubt they kept him comfortable, but awake and alert.

Cllr Paul Wild, who died in 2020 at the hospice (Image: Public)

"I have had three experiences and two of them were councillors."

She continued: "The other one was Cllr Alan Walsh some time ago. I remember going to visit him, I know people say they couldn't be more caring but they really couldn't.

"He was having some fruit and cream and they said 'would you like any more'. I suppose you get particular, he said I don't want that fruit and that fruit. And he got just what he wanted.

"Most of them were volunteers and keen to do anything they could to make his life better."

Cllr Alan Walsh, who died in 2016 following a stay at the hospice (Image: Public)

Cllr Fairclough said: "It is more than just above and beyond really, clearly they are there for the person who is dying, but equally I think they do so much for friends and relatives.

"I do think they are marvellous. 

"It is amazing how many people's families have benefitted. I have never ever heard anybody have a bad word to say about it."

The Bubble Rush (Image: Public)

She added: "They keep increasing services and keep stretching themselves further. I hope they are successful in receiving more and everybody gets together and supports them." 

Speaking about The Bolton News' campaign, Cllr Fairclough said: "You couldn't fault it. With online, Facebook, and all that it does motivate people. 

"Although it is sad, you would get people who are recently bereaved who will have had the benefit of the hospice wanting to contribute but not sure how to do it.

Cllr Fairclough at the Bubble Rush when she was Mayor of Bolton (Image: Public)

"With around 260k people living in Bolton of different ages, let's say we have 100k active people, if everyone donated 10 pounds or a thousand of them raised 100 pounds. 

"I think these things really are useful, it motivates people."

To see our fundraiser, follow this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Bolton-News-Bolton-Hospice-appeal

To learn more about Bolton Hospice and the work they do, visit: https://www.boltonhospice.org.uk/