St Ann’s Hospice has launched a new public appeal to raise the remaining £2 million needed for a new hospice building to “transform end of life care” for Greater Manchester residents.
The hospice group has today launched the ‘Build It Together’ appeal, and is urging local people to come together to help raise the final £2 million needed to build its “ambitious” £21.5 million flagship new hospice in Heald Green, Stockport – which it says will be a leading facility for end of life care in the UK.
The current hospice building is more than 150 years old, and St Ann’s says it is “outdated” and no longer fit for purpose” due to limited air-flow, small rooms with limited natural light, and narrow corridors.
The plans for the new “bright and airy” purpose-built modern facility would see it built on land adjacent to the current site, and the hospice says its “desperately needed”.
If new hospice isn’t built, palliative services in the area may be forced to close.
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“We’re hoping that the public will get behind the campaign so building work can start later in the year,” the hospice said in its appeal statement.
What a morning! Thank you to everyone who has been sharing news of our appeal, and to everyone who has donated too.
We need to raise £2million to build the new St Ann's. If you're able to support, please donate now at https://t.co/1vwKxWmOIB
Plans for the new £21.5 million hospice building include a 27-bed inpatient unit – including 21 en-suite bedrooms with access to private outdoor terraces – modern outpatient and day therapy services, dedicated bereavement and family support spaces, offices, a café that’s also open to the public, landscaped gardens, and improved car parking.
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It will also be home to the only non-university immersive healthcare training suite in the area, with integrated technology and the capacity to simulate real life scenarios.
This will allow experts from across St Ann’s to share their specialist knowledge with other organisations, and help drive excellence in palliative and end of life care both locally and nationally.
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St Ann’s Hospice has launched a public funding appeal to raise the £2 million needed to provide end of life care in Greater Manchester / Credit: St
“In Greater Manchester we’re used to doing things differently and leading the way,” explained Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive at St Ann’s Hospice.
“We’re proud that we provide world-class hospice care from right here in this amazing city, and as the needs of patients change, we need to evolve too to make sure we can continue to give them the truly personalised care that they deserve – but we simply can’t continue to care for local people in our current building.
“It is no longer fit for purpose and we’re in real danger of having to close services in the near future if we don’t complete this project.”
A new £21.5 million purpose-built modern hospice facility would be built on land adjacent to the current site / Credit: St Ann’s Hospice
She added that the hospice knows £2 million is “a big ask” for the community.
“But that same community has always been here for us – we never take that for granted, and we’re proud to have such deep roots in the areas we serve across Greater Manchester,” she concluded.
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You can make donations to St Ann’s Hospice here, or text LETSBUILDIT to 70085 to give £20 now, and also call 0161 498 3631 to speak to a member of the team.
Featured Image – St Ann’s Hospice
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Man jailed after killing three-year-old girl in crash between van and tram in Manchester city centre
A man has been jailed after killing a three-year-old little girl in a crash between a van and a tram in Manchester city centre.
It comes after emergency services responded to reports of a road traffic collision involving a tram and a van in Mosley Street in Manchester city centre at around 10am on Saturday (22 February), where it was found that the Mercedes van collided with the tram, forcing the van onto the pavement where it collided with a pedestrian.
The pedestrian, a three-year-old girl, was rushed to hospital shortly after, but despite the best efforts of all involved, sadly passed away from her injuries.
She was later named as Louisa (Lulu) Palmisano.
The driver – who was later named as Rawal Rehman, of Lambton Road in Manchester – left his vehicle and fled the scene in a taxi, but was subsequently arrested in a restaurant two days after the incident (24 February) after officers traced him through documents found in his van.
He was arrested for causing death by dangerous driving, and chose to plead guilty to the charge at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday 22 April, before his sentencing took place today (27 May).
A man has been jailed after killing a three-year-old girl in crash between a van and a tram / Credit: The Manc Group | GMP
Rehman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, as was also disqualified for 13 years and eight months until he passes a further test.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the tragedy was ‘completely avoidable’ and that Rehman’s ‘callous actions’ on that fatal day have changed a family’s lives forever, so he must now ‘face the consequences’ of his actions.
Lulu’s family also shared a powerful victim impact statement.
“Lulu was our only child and the centre of our world,” the statement reads. “Her joyful spirit, vivid imagination, and kind heart touched everyone who knew her. At just three years old, she brought more light and love than we ever thought possible. Her life was full of promise, and her loss is something we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.
“No parent should ever have to witness the death of their child. The impact of that single, devastating moment has rippled through every part of our existence, emotionally, physically, and financially.
“Our lives have changed beyond recognition.”
#JAILED | Rawal Rehman (28/11/1988) was sentenced to 12 years at Manchester Crown Court today for causing the death by dangerous driving of three-year-old Louisa (Lulu) Palmisano.
Rehman was arrested by officers two days after the fled the scene.
“Lulu’s memory lives on in us – in every act of kindness, in every moment of courage, and in every step we take forward. We will continue to speak her name, to celebrate who she was, and to ensure that her light is never forgotten.”
Featured Image – GMP
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A premium car brand is opening up its first-ever UK city garage in Manchester
Premium performance car brand, CUPRA, is set to open its first-ever UK city centre garage right here in Manchester next month.
It’s just their 12th British branch and will be one of their most impressive yet.
CUPRA, which primarily makes its models in Spain, is one of the fastest-growing manufacturers in Europe, especially in the performance market, and has recently launched in the likes of Mexico City and Sydney too.
Now set to open their latest location here in England this June, the new CUPRA space is set to be more than just your average garage/car showroom.
Due to open up on St. Ann Street (Manchester M2 7LP) next to the city centre square of the same name, the premium dealer is promising more than just a space to show off their cars.
As per an official statement, it will be “a bold new destination that blends Mediterranean attitude with Manchester’s disruptive spirit.”
Detailing that they chose our home due to its “unrivalled cultural impact and creative energy”, they went on to describe Greater Manchester as a “high-impact cultural hub rooted in music, design, wellness, food, and electrifying performance, it’s designed to connect people, ideas, and communities.”
The press release goes on to explain that at the core of CUPRA’s Manchester launch will be their new ‘Counter Culture‘ calendar of immersive experiences and events, with this new venue looking to innovate when it comes to programming and collaborations with Manchester independents and more.
CUPRA have steadily been announcing their arrival in town via various special activations, but come 26 June, they’ll be here full-time.
The CUPRA Dark Rebel landed on UK shores recently at Diecast Manchester!
Speaking about the launch, Marcus Gossen, CUPRA UK Brand Director, said: “Manchester was the natural destination for the latest CUPRA City Garage. The desire to continually evolve and transform is something we share with this great city, as well as its disruptive spirit.”
Having surpassed 800,000 cars sold worldwide and boasting big sponsorship deals with famous athletes like FC Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, not to mention being a leading partner of the rising Baller League competition, their presence in the UK is growing, and fast.
To mark the occasion here in 0161, a special launch event with live music, entertainment, as well as food and drink, will be taking place; the lineup is still yet to be announced.
Once again, CUPRA Manchester – their first UK city garage and showroom – opens in 2–14 St. Ann Street on Thursday, 26 June.
Emily Sergeant -
28th June 2022 
