Businessman's Caribbean gesture to aid Lancashire children's hospice (From Chorley Citizen)

Businessman's Caribbean gesture to aid Lancashire children's hospice

10:30am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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HOLIDAYMAKERS destined for the Caribbean are being given the chance to rub shoulders with the stars while at the same time contributing to a Lancashire children’s hospice.

Businessman John Morphet has pledged to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Derian House in Chorley, and is hoping the lure of some Barbados sunshine will help.

The leisure industry entrepreneur has handed the keys to one of his luxury Barbados holiday homes to the hospice so it can rent it out to supporters for the next 12 months.

The charity, which offers specialist respite and terminal care for children who may not live to reach adulthood, stands to raise £52,000 through the offer.

The two-bedroom apartment is on the exclusive Royal Westmoreland estate, which is owned by Mr Morphet’s company Pure Leisure Group.

The estate boasts sprawling homes belonging to celebrities including Wayne and Coleen Rooney, Andrew Flintoff, Joe Calzaghe, Ant and Dec and Gary Lineker.

Coleen Rooney has recently been holidaying at her newly completed £5million villa on the island.

Derian House’s fundraising manager, Susie Poppitt, said: “The idea is that we will be asking the public to buy weeks at the apartment for £1,000. It’s a fantastic offer because it can cost more than five times that to stay at Royal Westmoreland.

“Our supporters are getting a wonderful deal while we at Derian House will be able to plough all the proceeds into providing care for some very poorly children.”

Derian House, which cares for children from all areas of East Lancashire, will see its annual running costs jump from £1.85m to £2.25m when a new purpose-built teenage unit opens later this year.

Preston-born Mr Morphet said he had been inspired to help the charity after learning it receives less than ten per cent of its funding from the Government.

In 2009, he raised £80,000 with a charity ball at his home on the North Lancashire/Cumbria border and this year, in addition to the apartment offer, will hold the event again in the hope of raising even more.

“Derian House is a fantastic cause and one that, as a father, I feel incredibly privileged to be involved in,” said Mr Morphet.

“Its’ work benefits around 200 children each year from across the region and despite the tragedy that the families and staff are faced with every day, it’s a place that always seems filled with love and happiness.”

Those interested in finding out more are asked to telephone Jennifer Dunleavy on 01524 782503 or email jennifer.dunleavy@pureleisuregroup.com.