Trinity Hospice boosted by £10,000 thanks to Blackpool firm

The Mortgage Shop, on Topping Street, was able to help Trinity via the long term financial support it has been giving to The Open Network, which in turn gives grants to charities supporting vulnerable children and adults.

John Norris approached the Open Network and asked if some of its funding could be channeled to the hospice, which was badly in need of new flooring at its Bispham base on Low More Road.

John, who runs the the Mortgage Shop with Marina, said: " As soon as I heard about Trinity's work I started thinking about how we could direct some of that charity money locally, and I got in touch with The Openwork Foundation to find out how we could help our local hospice.

“I knew that the hospice needed some new flooring, so I asked the foundation to give it the maximum they could give.

We’ve been contributing for 20 years and never asked for anything, but this was a really deserving cause local to us.”

Earlier in December, the Openwork Foundation provided a grant to Trinity Hospice of £10,000 to complete a major flooring project.

John added: “When we found out how much had been donated, we were really chuffed. It’s really pleasing to see this money, that we have contributed to over so many years, go to a

local charity like Trinity. "

Trinity’s head of fundraising, Linzi Warburton, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the grant from The Openwork Foundation, and are truly grateful for the work by John and

his family at The Mortgage Shop for making this possible.

“We never imagined we would receive so much.

"This money has been put towards a major project to replace the flooring in our In-patient Unit.

"Without this we would have been forced to use some of the money we have in our reserves, which have already been hit by a £1.5 million fundraising shortfall caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A huge thank you to all involved in this incredible donation. It really means so much to us here at Trinity.”

Head of The Openwork Foundation, Sam Tesch, said: “The Openwork Foundation is delighted to support Trinity Hospice in replacing the flooring, allowing them to continue their

essential palliative care to patients and support for the families.

“Openwork is proud to support its local communities and we thank John Norris for his nomination.”

The Mortgage Shop will next year celebrate 30 years of offering a range of financial services in the town.