In a heartwarming announcement, multi-award-winning broadcaster and best-selling author Holly Willoughby, Patron of the UK’s leading children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives, has revealed that Morrisons has raised £10,722,514 for the charity. 

Together for Short Lives’ partnership with Morrisons, which started in February 2022, has raised vital funds for the UK’s 54 children’s hospices, which are a lifeline for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families. The partnership came to a close on 28th October, after nearly three years of fundraising by Morrisons colleagues, customers and suppliers.

Holly has been a Patron of Together for Short Lives for 15 years. In a message to Morrisons staff, customers and suppliers, she said: 

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Morrisons for forging an extraordinary partnership with Together for Short Lives. Your incredible commitment to the cause over the past two years and nine months has raised millions and profoundly impacted the lives of children and their families across the UK.

“Over the years, I have had the privilege of meeting families who benefit from the invaluable support provided by Together for Short Lives and their local children’s hospices. Each story I’ve encountered has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of your contributions. The money you have raised will significantly impact the lives of families going through an unimaginably difficult time.

“Thank you to everyone who has played a role in making this partnership, your unwavering collaboration has created something truly remarkable that will resonate for years to come.”

Colleagues at Morrisons stores across the UK have been raising vital funds over the past two years and nine months through in-store fundraisers, marathons, treks, skydives and more. Together for Short Lives has also benefited from Morrisons’ in-store promotional event, Every Pack Gives Back, and a number of charity products such as a branded bear, a tote bag and pin badges.

Thanks to the Morrisons partnership, Together for Short Lives has:

• Raised £6.5 million for children’s hospices, which could provide 215,685 hours of vital care.
• Created precious memories through events and activities for 6,223 family members
• Enabled 30 hospices to complete vital renovations, build new facilities and purchase new equipment, including accessible playgrounds and bereavement counselling cabins.
• Reached 1,415 new families through our community outreach work, enabling more families to access the support they need.
• Provided 756 families with emergency support, including Cost-of-Living support grants, Crisis pantry Morrisons food deliveries, and Bereavement grants to fund funeral costs.

Together for Short Lives CEO, Nick Carroll said:

“As we approach the end of our partnership with Morrisons, I want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the incredible support we’ve received over the past two years and nine months. Thanks to the dedication of Morrisons colleagues and customers, we are proud to announce that we have raised over £10 million. This significant amount will help us provide vital care and support to seriously ill children and their families across the UK.”

Morrisons Director of Corporate Affairs, David Scott said:

“At Morrisons, we care for the communities we serve and our charity partnership exemplifies this. Our fundraising has helped to connect more children to the care they need and delivered wide-ranging and substantial improvements to children’s hospices across the country. I want to extend my gratitude to our dedicated colleagues, customers and suppliers for their hard work and passion. Together, you have made a remarkable difference, and I look forward to seeing the lasting legacy of our work in the community.”

Alongside its fundraising for children’s hospices, Together for Short Lives is working to make sure that, throughout the UK:

• No family faces the journey alone, because they can access 24/7 palliative care
• Children and families receive the best support possible because professionals and services are united around them to improve the quality of palliative care
• Children and families receive support today, tomorrow and every day because children’s palliative care services need to be more sustainable.

They do this by providing direct support for families through its family hub, changing the system through lobbying and advocacy – and supporting professionals to connect and build effective networks.