Chilldren’s hospice set to expand

ALL SMILES... Sir Alex Ferguson teams up with Kirsty Howard to launch exciting plans for Francis House.

A BRUSH with the stars was in store for Oldham reverend David Ireland as he joined Sir Alex Ferguson to launch an epic expansion of the Francis House children’s hospice.

David, who is the minister at the United Reform Church, Union Street, is also Chief Executive of the Manchester charity.

He beamed as he joined the Manchester United boss to announce a £3.6 million bid to double the size of the hospice and increase the amount of care it can offer.

If planning permission is approved, Francis House will build an adjoining site in Didsbury to include state-of-the-art facilities to aid respite care for youngsters and open in 2013.

David, who lives in Dobcross said: “The number of young people needing our help is increasing all the time, and we turn nobody away who meets the criteria.

“It became clear to us last year that we were struggling to give adequate respite care to new families.

“By having the new building on the same site, we will double the number of rooms we have, but share many facilities so we can more than double the care we offer.”

Among the star-studded event at Manchester Town Hall was Kirsty Howard, who has been treated at the centre and launched the Kirsty Appeal that has since reached its £5million target.

The extension would increase the annual running costs of Francis House from £2.75 million to £4.5 million a year.