Work starts on Grace’s Place hospice

INSPIRATIONAL . . . TV and radio presenter Sara Cox with Grace Tinarwo and her mum, Sarah

WORK has finally begun on “Grace’s Place” - a hospice to offer love and care to terminally ill Oldham children and their families.

TV and radio presenter Sara Cox announced the plan and launched a £1 million appeal to complete north Manchester’s first children’s hospice, which will also take children from Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and Bury and is expected to be open next August.

The Bolton-born celebrity said: “As a mother myself I can only imagine how difficult it must be when your child needs the kind of help Grace’s Place can offer. I hope local people can find it in their heart to support this wonderful cause.”

The new hospice — the 50th UK children’s hospice — is on the site of the former Bury Hospice in Radcliffe, a partnership between Bury Hospice and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.

It is named after two-year-old Grace Tinarwo from Rochdale, one of many children who will benefit from its expert care.

Bury Hospice chief executive Jacqui Comber said: “In 2011 it was estimated there are more than 250 children like Grace in the hospice’s catchment area.

“At the moment, families have to travel to either Chorley or South Manchester to receive specialist support we will be able to offer.”

The hospice will have four bedrooms and other facilities anhd therapy rooms.

Find out more at www.graces-place.org.