A CHILDREN’S hospice is celebrating after a muddy building site visit resulted in a £75,000 cash boost.

The future support of Huddersfield families with children battling life-threatening illnesses has been secured for another three years – thanks to a generous donation.

The money was presented to the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice by Holmfirth businesswoman Faye Formisano after the new mum – who runs Pennine Wealth Management – made it her mission to raise the money by applying for a charitable pot of cash.

A foundation run by St James’s Place Wealth Management – of which Faye is a member – granted the huge sum, after hearing about the hospice’s work and visiting the Brackenhall site when it was under construction.

Now, the money will fund a hospice worker supporting families through bereavement and counselling for another three years to allow the close contact with local families to continue.

Fundraising director Michelle Surrell said: “We’re delighted and overwhelmed.

“The family support team leader role is so important in a hospice and is absolutely vital to the support we offer families at the most difficult time of their lives – when they are given the devastating news that their child is not going to live.

“They go out and meet all our families and while our care team looks after their medical needs, the family support team leader is there for the psychological and emotional side. They will also stay close to that family to offer specialised bereavement counselling.”

Faye, who is married to Mamas and Papas international sales director Joe Formisano, has been supporting the children’s hospice for several years – after her husband’s company made the cause its chosen charity.

She said: “It is such an amazing place. The work they do here is incredible and there is such a need for it.

“The foundation looks for appropriate charities and invites its partners to choose causes close to their hearts.

“I got one of the directors up last year to visit the site. It was a muddy site at that times, but they were very impressed with what they were trying to achieve here.”

Hospice chief executive Peter Branson and Michelle were invited to present their plans to a London committee.

Michelle added: “There were other charities there on the day because there is such competition for funds. We only had 30 minutes to present and had to explain what we were about and the difference the role would make for a sustainable future.

“It is excellent news, and what I love about it is that is all came from a visit to a muddy field.

“It is wonderful a local contact has led to this. We’re so grateful.”