The hospice supports hundreds of families from across the north west of England by providing respite care for children, teenagers and young adults with life-limiting conditions.
A fifth-generation family company, Francis Kirk Group is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and distributors of engineering and fastener products and will be supporting the charity for the rest of 2017 and into 2018 – its 150th anniversary year.
Pictured are, from left: Francis House Children's Hospice chief executive David Ireland with Francis Kirk Group MD Tom Kirk, and Lucy Thompson, also from Francis House.
Francis House in Didsbury has offered a free home-from-home experience for children under 16 since 1991. To mark its 25th anniversary last year, the charity celebrated the official opening of Francis Lodge by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, which is a new wing of the hospice for teenagers and young adults.
Leading the initiative at Francis Kirk Group is managing director Tom Kirk. “We are delighted to announce this partnership with Francis House – very aptly named for us!” he said. “It is a very special charity and we look forward to working together to help fund the vital care, support and friendship that Francis House gives to children, young adults and their families across the region.”
The company has already starting planning an annual Golf Day in September, which aims to raise over £5,000, and Kirk will be encouraging everyone in the company, plus customers and suppliers, to get behind the campaign.
Immediate fundraising opportunities in the next few months include the Manchester 10K at the end of May, Cheshire 3 Peaks Walk in June and the Gauntlet Games in September where entrants take on 20 fun obstacles in a 5 or 10K race. Special activities to mark the company’s 150th anniversary year in 2018 are also under discussion.
David Ireland, chief executive of Francis House, said of the commitment from Francis Kirk Group: “We are so pleased to have them on board. We are reliant on donations to continue our work, so their support is invaluable. Having just celebrated our 25th anniversary, it is special to be a part of an amazing 150th year with them. We will be looking to make it a fundraising year to remember for everyone.”
