Hospice hits £2m appeal target for major rebuild

A West Yorkshire children's hospice has hit a £2m public appeal target for a major redevelopment project.

The appeal was launched in April 2024 to help fund "The Build", a £21.9m scheme to extend and refurbish Martin House in Boston Spa, near Wetherby.

The hospice cares for children and young people with life-shortening conditions across West, North and East Yorkshire.

Clair Holdsworth, the charity's chief executive, said: "We would like to thank the thousands of people who have supported this appeal and helped us make The Build a reality."

The Build includes a new children's wing, which opened in February 2025, with work to refurbish and extend the rest of the hospice expected to finish in spring.

New facilities will include a hydrotherapy pool, a wellbeing suite and an education centre.

Holdsworth said: "Our building had fallen behind the quality of our care.

"The Build will not only bring our facilities up to date, but ensure that we can continue to support thousands more families for decades to come."

Fundraising events included a zip wire challenge at Xscape in Castleford, with a "Raise the Roof" donation drive in September raising more than £400,000 in 36 hours.

Martin House also received donations and grants from individuals, trusts and foundations to help reach the total.

Holdsworth said the hospice had been "so fortunate to receive such wide-ranging support" from across Yorkshire and beyond.

"It's going to cost us around £12m to run the hospice next year," she said.

"We have a team available 365 days a year, with doctors on call every night, and it's an expensive service to provide."

She added: "The real work begins now, ensuring we have the funds to sustain our hospice and protect its future."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.