Boston Spa-based Martin House Children’s Hospice has raised more than £400,000 through its recent ‘36 Hour Give’ campaign, exceeding its original £360,000 target.
The campaign launched on Sunday, September 28, at Wetherby Town Hall with support from Emmerdale cast members, Wetherby Mayor Connor Mulhall, and music from The Duchy Darlings. High-profile backing also came from Leeds United Football Club and England manager Sir Gareth Southgate, who encouraged people across Yorkshire to donate.
The campaign saw an early surge, with £30,000 donated in the first ten minutes. Donations up to £180,000 were doubled by match-funders, ensuring every pound had twice the impact. By 8 pm on Monday, September 29, the final total had exceeded £400,000.
Every additional donation will still go towards THE BUILD, a £21.9 million redevelopment of the hospice. THE BUILD aims to transform care for children and young people with life-shortening conditions across Yorkshire. Planned improvements include a children’s wing, a teenage zone, a hydrotherapy pool, and an education centre, all designed to offer specialist care, dignity, and comfort to families.
Clair Holdsworth, Chief Executive at Martin House, said: “This is a huge achievement, we’ve been blown away by the support that we’ve seen for this campaign. The generosity and kindness shown by people across Yorkshire has been overwhelming, we are so grateful.
“The more money we raise, the more children we can support. £500 provides five weeks of essential emergency medicine for the children in our care, and £50 goes towards specialist hydrotherapy equipment – any amount of donation genuinely makes a huge difference.
“Yesterday was a huge achievement, but our journey to complete THE BUILD continues, any ongoing support and donation will continue to make a difference to the care and support we can deliver.”
Robyn Mountain-Wade, Director of Income Generation at Martin House, said: “This incredible result just proves how much Martin House means to people across Yorkshire and beyond. A huge thank you to every single person who has donated, fundraised, shared our story and believed in us.
“Our staff, supporters, and volunteers have all gone above and beyond. There was certainly a big celebration at Martin House yesterday! We always hoped we could do it, given the support we’ve had throughout THE BUILD, but to hit £360,000 with five hours left of the campaign was incredible, and to share it with the community was even better.”
Headline sponsor HARIBO UK played a vital role in promoting the appeal. Jon Hughes, Managing Director at HARIBO UK & Ireland, said: “To see the community come together and achieve such an outstanding result is inspiring. As a proud Yorkshire business, we’re delighted to support Martin House and THE BUILD, and we know this funding will help make a real difference for children, young people, and their families.
“It was fantastic to visit the campaign hub across the two days and see first-hand the passion, energy, and commitment from everyone involved.”
For further details about THE BUILD and how to support it, visit: https://www.martinhouse.org.uk/thebuild
