On a crisp, sunny spring day, Stephen Dunn, Chairman of the Ormskirk and Bootle Group and Ian Tupling, Ormskirk and Bootle Group Mentor and Bowls Steward visited St Joseph’s Hospice in Thornton. They were warmly welcomed by Abi Smith, Income and Business Development Manager at St Joseph’s and Clare Prince, Community and Events Fundraiser.
Stephen and Ian were at the hospice to present a cheque for £500, which was donated by the West Lancashire Provincial Crown Green Bowling Group. The money was raised through donations from lodges and chapters, as well as fund raising events and raffles held at the West Lancashire Masonic Charity Bowling Tournament, first held in 1934 as the Ormskirk and Bootle Qualification Competition. The events in 2025 took place at the Saracen’s Head Bowling Club in Halsall. The 2026 final will be taking place in July in the Furness area, (date to be confirmed).
St Joseph’s Hospice was founded in 1974 and is one of the oldest hospices in the country. Every year the hospice provides palliative and end of life care services to over 200 people from across Sefton, Liverpool, Knowsley and West Lancashire. The hospice sits within 12 acres of beautiful woodland and gardens. The woodland walkway, pond, sensory kitchen garden, wildflower meadow and bee hives, from which the hospice produces its own honey, provide a peaceful place for patients and their families. Abi said that families often say that they didn’t come to the hospice to make friends, but they made friends anyway.
The hospice has 31 patient rooms across 3 inpatient units and the staff aim to provide a home from home for their patients and provide support to their families. As a registered charity, the hospice does not charge for its care. The hospice is 30% funded by the NHS and 70% through charity donations, fund-raising events and their own weekly lottery. This support is vital, as it costs over £4,000,000 a year to keep the hospice’s services running.
There are several ways of supporting St Joseph’s Hospice. Donations are always welcome, as are volunteers to help with the day to day running of the hospice. The hospice’s weekly lottery costs £2 a week to enter. The first prize is a whopping £1,000 and there are additional cash prizes too. If you wish to enter the lottery, or help in any other way, click here.
