Preston neurological centre set to open as planned in spite of charity funding crisis

The Sue Ryder organisation claimed earlier this week that its hospices could be forced to shut down within months, because the coronavirus outbreak had created a £12m black hole in its fundraising capability. That threat has now receded after the government announced £750m in emergency funding for the charity sector.

And the Post can reveal that the nearly-complete rehabilitation facility in Fulwood has not been derailed by the charity’s downturn in fortunes, because it is funded differently to hospice services.

“It’s business as usual for our new development and we are 100 percent committed to delivering what is an essential service, “explained Pamela MacKenzie, director of neurological services at Sue Ryder.

"While we can't have the grand opening that we had hoped for, we'll be arranging something in the future where we can shout from the rooftops about this wonderful facility."

The new centre on Teal Lane in Fulwood will provide accommodation and rehabilitation services for the 26 people who are currently resident at the charity’s existing Lancashire base at Cuerden Hall.

It will offer care and support to those with a range of neurological conditions, including Huntington’s disease and motor neurone disease – with the aim of helping them to maintain their independence and lead fuller lives. The facility will also increase the capacity of the service to look after a total of 44 people.

Pamela says that the current lockdown and social distancing restrictions have made the already tough job of relocating more than two dozen vulnerable people all the more difficult.

“Moving complex clients from one environment to another was always going to be challenging, but this has added an extra layer to it. We have had to take additional precautionary measures to make sure that the transfer is done safely and effectively.”

Pamela says she is now hoping for the same level of public generosity to help support the Sue Ryder hospice network as people showed last year when the charity raised £900,000 for enhancements to the £10.3m neurological centre.

Speaking after the government announcement of funding for the charity sector, a spokesperson for Sue Ryder added: “We were relieved to hear the news from the Chancellor. Now we can continue to provide the expert and compassionate care that we are so proud of delivering across our seven hospices and four neurological care centres.

“This money will need to be shared out over the next few days but we will ensure that our share goes as far as it possibly can.”

The charity receives only 30 percent of its funding from the government, with the remainder coming from fundraising events and charity shops – all of which have been mothballed by current pandemic.

To donate to Sue Ryder, please visit: www.sueryder.org/donate