Barry Hearn OBE presents £300,000 cheque to Saint Francis Hospice
Matchroom Charitable Foundation is committed to helping to secure the future and sustainability of Saint Francis Hospice, says founder and president Barry Hearn OBE.
Barry Hearn, who is a patron of the hospice, presented a cheque for £300,000 to its Chief Executive Officer, Grazina Berry, when he visited the charity recently.
To date, Matchroom and its Charitable Foundation has donated in excess of an incredible £1m, This latest donation will go toward a Ward Development project taking place to improve the care environment for nursing and clinical staff, people we support and their loved ones. The improvements include: redesigning the lounge and entrance to create a more welcoming and functional space, creating new spaces such as a therapy room and a quiet room for loved ones, energy efficiency upgrades, and the installation of solar panels.
Further benefits include new showers, updated bathrooms, hoists, furnishings, TVs, lighting and flooring.
Construction is expected to begin in September and be completed in March 2026. During this time bed availability on the ward will temporarily be reduced from 18 to 11, with the 7 beds moving to the new Enhanced Hospice at Home service. This has been carefully planned, and staffing will be adjusted to ensure continuity, quality and safety of care.
The sports promoter continues to support Saint Francis Hospice through many channels including the Foundation, event sponsorship and personal donations, tipping his contributions to our work just over the £1m mark.
During his visit, Barry shared why Saint Francis Hospice is so important to him personally and why he is pledging to ensure the hospice is here to care for local people, now and in the future.
“Saint Francis Hospice is such a special place,” said Barry. “I think everyone’s introduction to Saint Francis Hospice starts at a time when there are more tears than smiles.
“Both my mother-in-law and my father-in-law were cared for at Saint Francis Hospice. I was so impressed with the respect and care shown to them. It really did make a difficult time a bit easier.
Barry Hearn OBE with Saint Francis Hospice CEO, Grazina Berry.
“I don’t think you should ever forget where you came from. We should look at local community work and support where we can, because without that support, the compassionate care the hospice provides couldn’t exist.
“Matchroom Charitable Foundation has been supportive of Saint Francis Hospice for many years, and the Ward Development is another project that we thoroughly approve of.
“We've got to be visionary about the future, which is going to be difficult financially for lots of people, so, where we can, we should help to make that job easier.
“Nothing stands still, and the hospice needs to provide more services than it currently does to meet the growing demand. And it falls on those who have been fortunate to make their contribution to ensure the longevity, the sustainability and the expansion of facilities like Saint Francis Hospice for future generations.”
Chloe Winter, Head of Major Gifts and Partnerships, Said, "We are thrilled that Matchroom Charitable Foundation has once again shown its support to Saint Francis Hospice with a hugely generous donation of £300,000 towards the Ward Development Project.
“The funding will be used to support the Ward Development Project which is essential to ensure the Hospice maintains the high-quality standards of care and support that people under our care and their loved ones expect to receive.
“The Matchroom Charitable Foundation funds will allow us to provide safety and dignity to those we support whilst upholding our CQC rating of Outstanding.
“On behalf of everyone here at Saint Francis Hospice, I would like to say a huge thank you to the Matchroom Charitable Foundation"
