Families staying at the region's children's hospice will enjoy a better night's sleep thanks to a £10,000 donation from Blackburn football fans. Parents and siblings staying with their child at Derian House Children's Hospice in Chorley will experience upgraded family suites, all funded by a partnership between the charity Benefit Mankind and Blackburn Rovers Football Club.
Rovers player Augustus Kargbo has been personally involved in the work and even visited the hospice to hand out gifts to poorly children over the Christmas holidays. The £10,000 donation will cover a full refurbishment of the hospice's four family apartments, which allow families to stay with their child at the hospice.
The cheque was presented to Derian House senior managers Catherine Randall, Chief Nurse, and Karen Leigh-Whiston, Director of HR, on the Blackburn Rovers pitch on Saturday, May 2. The partnership has also seen brothers and sisters of children cared for by the hospice walking out as match day mascots in front of 14,000 fans at a game, with their families receiving VIP treatment in the stands.
Charlie Busby, 14, and his brother Harry, 11, both of whom use Derian House, got to watch the game and even meet star players Augustus Kargbo and Kevin Gallacher afterwards. "We loved it, the evening was so good," said Leanne Busby, mother of Charlie and Harry. "They really looked after us and did not mind at all that Charlie had his Preston North End top on; it was all in good sporting spirit! Very precious memories were made."
The partnership has also improved match days for wheelchair users, with new specially designed ponchos to help keep them warm and comfortable. Dr Abdussamad Mulla, CEO of Benefit Mankind, said: "Over the past 12 months, Benefit Mankind has been proud to work in partnership with Blackburn Rovers to support the incredible work of Derian House Children's Hospice. Together, we have raised £10,000 to help provide essential care and support to children and families facing life-limiting conditions.
"This achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished when organisations, communities, and supporters come together with a shared purpose. Every pound raised will go towards making a meaningful difference, ensuring that families receive the compassion, care, and dignity they deserve during the most challenging times. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to this effort, and we remain committed to continuing our support for such a vital cause. Partnerships like this show the true impact of collective action, and we look forward to building on this success in the future."
Karen Edwards OBE, Chief Executive at Derian House, said: "This partnership has meant so much to our families. The fundraising is incredibly important, but it's the experiences that really stay with them — being mascots, special days out, and feeling part of something unforgettable. We're so grateful to Benefit Mankind and Blackburn Rovers for the kindness and effort they've put into making these moments happen."
Derian House, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people, and their families from across the North West, helping them to make the most of every moment. While care is free for families, it will cost £6 million to run services at the hospice in 2026. The charity only receives around 30 per cent of government funding, meaning it relies on kind-hearted supporters to raise 70p in every £1. Find out more at www.derianhouse.co.uk.
