We are absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude following Rotherham United’s Game of the Century — an extraordinary occasion that has raised a remarkable £58,500, shared equally between Rotherham Hospice and the Community Trust’s 50k Power Play.
Continue reading
This year, Rotherham Hospice turns 30. Three decades of compassionate care for patients and families across our region — and we wanted to mark the occasion in a way that felt truly local.
So we’ve partnered with Sheffield-based artist Luke Horton, whose work captures the spirit of South Yorkshire like no other, to create a bespoke limited edition Henderson’s Relish bottle. Featuring Luke’s original artwork, each bottle is a little piece of local art — and a way to show your support for the hospice at the same time.
At just £4 a bottle, a donation from every sale comes directly to Rotherham Hospice, helping us to continue providing care and support for people living with life-limiting illness, and their families.
They make a perfect gift, a great addition to your kitchen, and a proper celebration of 30 years of our hospice being here for our community.
The bottles are available from Monday from all of our charity shops and cafés:
Monday – Saturday – 9:00am-6:00pm
Sunday – 10:00am-4:00pm
Great Eastern Retail Park, 2 Beale Way, Parkgate, Rotherham S62 6EJ
Monday – Saturday – 8:30am-4:00pm
Sunday – 10am-4pm
Alexandria Centre, Parkgate, Rotherham
S62 6JE
Monday – Saturday – 9:00am-4:30pm
Sunday – 10:00am-4:00pm
Monday – Saturday – 9:00am-4:30pm
Sunday – 10:00am-4:00pm
Monday – Saturday
8:30am-4:00pm
Monday – Saturday – 8:30am-4:00pm
Sunday – 10:00am-4:00pm
Monday – Saturday – 9:00am-4:00pm
Sunday – 10:00am-4:00pm
Great Eastern Retail Park, 2 Beale Way, Parkgate, Rotherham S62 6EJ
Monday – Sunday: 7:00am-7:00pm
Rotherham Hospice, Broom Road,
Rotherham, S60 2SW
Monday – Saturday: 8:30am-4:00pm
This May, we’re thrilled to be part of something truly special. On Friday 15th May, 35 schools across Rotherham will take part in the Rotherham School Games Colour Run — and they’re all fundraising for us.
Hundreds of pupils will be drenched in colour as they run, laugh, and raise vital funds to help local people and families facing life-limiting illness. It’s going to be a brilliant day, and we couldn’t be more grateful to every school, teacher, parent, and child taking part.
A huge thank you to our charity sponsor Meadowhall, who have not only supported this event but have also put up prizes for the top fundraising schools — giving pupils even more reason to get their friends and family donating!
Every penny raised will go directly towards the care and support we provide right here in Rotherham. Whether you have a child taking part or just want to cheer the schools on, you can support them by clicking on their fundraising page below.
Here are all 35 schools taking part — show them your support!
Good luck to every single pupil taking part — we’re cheering you on!
Rotherham Hospice has today set out proposals for changes across the charity, aimed at ensuring quality patient care remains sustainable and responsive amid rising demand, increasingly complex needs and financial pressures affecting hospices across England.
The hospice says the proposals are about focusing more of its resources where they matter most – on patients, families and frontline care – and ensuring it can continue to meet the needs of local people now and in the future.
The announcement comes as the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts publishes its report on the financial sustainability of adult hospices in England, which warns of a growing funding crisis across the sector and calls for urgent reform. Rotherham Hospice submitted written evidence to the inquiry, and the report highlights the increasing financial strain faced by hospices nationally.
Rotherham Hospice says the national findings reflect the same pressures it is experiencing locally, including growing demand for hospice care, rising costs and funding arrangements that do not fully reflect the cost of delivering high-quality services. The hospice receives commissioned income from the NHS to fund its clinical services, but that funding falls around £3 million short of what those services actually cost to run each year. In its written evidence to Parliament, the hospice also reported a projected annual deficit of £1.1 million – the gap between all of its income and all of its costs as a charity. Together, these figures reflect the scale of the challenge facing Rotherham Hospice and the wider sector.
Despite these pressures, the hospice continues to deliver outstanding care. Recent feedback shows very high levels of patient and family satisfaction – 98.6% of patients and families rated their care as excellent or very good – and the hospice was most recently rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission. It says maintaining that standard of compassionate, high-quality care remains central to every decision it takes.
The proposed reorganisation focuses on reducing management and leadership costs where possible, and creating greater capacity for patient-facing and service-delivery roles. The hospice says this will help it become more responsive, easier to navigate and better able to grow services over time in line with need.
The hospice has stressed that the proposals are designed to protect services for the long term. It says it is committed to supporting its workforce through the process and will seek, wherever possible, to limit the potential for redundancy, while being honest that difficult decisions may sometimes be necessary to safeguard patient care.
Mat Cottle-Shaw, Chief Executive of Rotherham Hospice, said:
“Our responsibility is to make sure that people in Rotherham continue to receive compassionate, high-quality hospice care when they need it most – not just today, but for years to come. “We are seeing growing demand, increasing complexity and ongoing pressure on how hospice care is funded. The national report published today underlines that this is not a challenge faced by one hospice alone, but by the sector as a whole. “These proposals are about being proactive now – simplifying where we need to, reducing costs where possible, and shifting more of our capacity towards patient-facing care. “This is about protecting hospice care, strengthening it, and building a more sustainable model that allows us to reach more people, respond earlier and continue delivering the high-quality care our community rightly expects.”
The hospice says patient dignity, compassion and quality of care will remain at the heart of all decisions, and that any formal changes affecting roles will be subject to proper consultation processes.
Rotherham Hospice is delighted to announce the appointment of Allie Dransfield as an official Ambassador, bringing her passion for the town and decades of communications expertise to the charity’s growing ambassador group.
Born and raised in Rotherham, Allie’s connection to the hospice runs deep. From fundraising as a young dancer in annual shows organised by her dance teacher, Miss Wendy Hewitt, to supporting the hospice lottery through her family, the charity has always been part of her life.
More recently, that connection became personal.
After her best friend’s mum received end of life care at Rotherham Hospice, Allie saw first-hand the difference the team makes to families at the most difficult time.
“She came to stay at the hospice and very sadly passed away there, but the care she and her family received was outstanding,” Allie shared. The hospice truly is an incredible place.”
Since then, Allie and her friends have continued to fundraise in Debbie’s memory, keeping her legacy alive while supporting other local families facing terminal illness.
For Allie, the hospice represents something powerful within the community.
“It means hope,” she said. “When people come to the hospice, whether for respite or end of life care, there isn’t always much hope left. But this place offers light. It offers comfort, strength and reassurance at a time that can feel incredibly bleak.”
As Ambassador, Allie hopes to use both her voice and professional expertise to amplify the hospice’s work.
“I want to shine a spotlight on everything the hospice does – to shout about it from the rooftops. Whether that’s encouraging corporate support, individual giving or fundraising, I want to help grow the audience and raise as much money as possible.”
Allie is head of agency at Chapter II – a leading PR, marketing, design and videography agency based in Sheffield.
Having joined the agency in 2005 as a junior account executive after graduating in media studies and print journalism, Allie now leads the business after more than 20 years of service. Allie brings extensive experience in all aspects of communications – expertise she is keen to share in support of the hospice’s mission.
Reflecting on her new role, Allie said:
“I am truly honoured to become an ambassador. As someone born and raised in the town, and a long-standing supporter of the hospice, this charity means a great deal to me personally.
Having seen first-hand the incredible difference the hospice makes within our community, I am proud to use my voice to help raise awareness, champion its fundraising efforts, and ensure it can continue delivering its vital work across Rotherham for generations to come.”
With strong local roots and a lifelong connection to the hospice, Allie’s appointment strengthens Rotherham Hospice’s commitment to community advocacy, helping us add more life to every day for people facing terminal illness across our town.
As an independent charity, Rotherham Hospice relies on community support to continue providing personalised, compassionate end of life care.
It costs £10.2 million each year to run our services. Just 37% of that is funded, meaning we must raise £6.6 million every year to continue supporting local people.
We care for more than 2,100 patients and their families annually — a number that continues to grow as our population increases and demand for end of life care rises.
With strong advocacy, committed partners and the backing of our community, we can continue to meet that demand and add more life to every day for everyone facing terminal illness in Rotherham.
For more information about supporting Rotherham Hospice, visit: rotherhamhospice.org.uk
Rotherham Hospice is proud to announce the appointment of three prominent local business leaders as official ambassadors: Phil Smith, Scott Thorpe and Jamie Sharp.
Each brings a deep personal connection to the town and a shared commitment to strengthening hospice care for the people of Rotherham.
Rotherham-born and raised, Phil Smith has built an internationally successful career in banking, investmshare Rotherham Hospice is proud to announce the appointment of three prominent local business leaders as official ambassadors: Phil Smith, Scott Thorpe and Jamie Sharp.
ent management and technology. Recently appointed Independent Non-Executive Director at Rotherham United, Phil has long been a passionate supporter of both the football club and the town it represents.
His connection to the hospice, however, is deeply personal.
“I’ve had three family members come through the hospice over the last 20 years,” Phil said. “Every single time, they did something for the family that was quite important.
“I think treating people in palliative care is probably the most important thing you can do in society. It’s not just about the person in care, it’s about the family around them who are feeling the grief and loss. There’s nothing else that could beat it.”
As an ambassador, Phil is clear about his goal: “Raise you bag loads of money. Simple as that.”
Scott Thorpe, CEO of TMG Mortgage Network, has already demonstrated his commitment to the hospice through transformative partnerships — including gifting the naming rights of Parkgate FC’s ground to create the Rotherham Hospice Community Stadium.
A proud Rotherham lad, Scott sees the role as a natural extension of his community work.
“It’s about giving back,” he said. “We’ve had staff who’ve been through the hospice experience. It means everything to the town. We’ve all got to look after the families and people around us.”
Beyond fundraising, Scott hopes to use his business expertise to support the hospice’s long-term sustainability. “Raise loads of money, but ultimately awareness — and how we in business can help guide the way the hospice raises money.”
Jamie Sharp, Business Manager at MTL Advanced, has supported Rotherham Hospice for many years through corporate partnerships and hands-on community projects.
Most recently, MTL Advanced apprentices manufactured hundreds of steel feathers for the hospice’s Feather Appeal at Wentworth Woodhouse — demonstrating the power of skills, craftsmanship and compassion working together.
“I was fortunate not to have a personal connection through loss at first — it was through business,” Jamie explained. “But once you understand what the hospice is about and how it supports families, you just carry on helping.”
For Jamie, the ambassador role is also about education and legacy. “It’s been great getting younger apprentices involved and helping them understand what a hospice is and does. Through the company, we want to continue generating revenue and media exposure to support the hospice.”
The appointments align closely with Rotherham Hospice’s strategic ambition to build stronger community partnerships and ensure long-term financial resilience. By working alongside influential local leaders, the hospice aims to increase awareness of its services, inspire new supporters, and secure the funding required to continue adding more life to every day for people facing terminal illness.
Rotherham Hospice CEO Mat Cottle-Shaw said:
“We are incredibly proud to welcome Phil, Scott and Jamie as ambassadors. Each of them represents the very best of our town — leadership, generosity and community spirit.
“Their advocacy will help us reach new audiences, strengthen partnerships and continue providing exceptional, personalised end of life care for everyone who needs us.”
As an independent charity, Rotherham Hospice relies on community support to continue providing personalised, compassionate end of life care.
It costs £10.2 million each year to run our services. Just 37% of that is funded, meaning we must raise £6.6 million every year to continue supporting local people.
We care for more than 2,100 patients and their families annually — a number that continues to grow as our population increases and demand for end of life care rises.
With strong advocacy, committed partners and the backing of our community, we can continue to meet that demand and add more life to every day for everyone facing terminal illness in Rotherham.
For more information about supporting Rotherham Hospice, visit: rotherhamhospice.org.uk
On Sunday 3rd May 2026, a star-studded team of former Rotherham United favourites will return to the AESSEAL New York Stadium for a very special Legends fixture – raising vital funds for Rotherham Hospice.
As Rotherham United brings its Centenary Year to a close, this celebratory match will help us continue our own mission of Living Life’s Wishes, ensuring everyone in our community can access personalised, compassionate end of life care.
This is more than a football match. It is a powerful show of togetherness from our town.
Rotherham Hospice is an independent charity. Every year, we care for around 1,700 patients and their loved ones, whether in our 14-bed Inpatient Unit or in people’s own homes across the borough.
While we receive NHS funding, we rely heavily on fundraising to continue delivering our services.
Funds raised from the Game of the Century will help us:
The potential £30,000 raised from this event could fund approximately 40 nights of expert end of life care on our Inpatient Unit or around 150 Hospice at Home visits for patients who wish to remain in familiar surroundings.
Every ticket purchased is a direct donation to Rotherham Hospice (and Rotherham United Community Trust), helping us add more life to every day for people facing terminal illness.
Two Rotherham United Legends XIs will compete in a full 90-minute fixture, with former fan favourites managing from the dugout and special appearances from some of Rotherham’s well-known faces.
Player names will be announced in the build-up to the event – but we can promise a team sheet that will not disappoint.
Kick-off is 3pm on Sunday 3rd May 2026 at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Tickets are priced at:
A family of four can attend for just £25 – and in doing so, help support two important local charities.
Your ticket purchase through Ticketmaster is your donation. There is no need to give via additional fundraising pages unless you wish to do so.
For supporters who would like to elevate their matchday experience, a Legends’ Lunch hospitality package is available for £45 per person (including VAT).
The package includes:
Hospitality bookings are managed by Rotherham United’s Commercial Team.
📩 Enquiries: commercial@rotherhamunited.net
Businesses and individuals can further support Rotherham Hospice through tailored sponsorship packages starting from £500.
Opportunities include Player Sponsorship and other matchday branding packages, all designed to maximise funds raised for hospice care in our community.
To discuss sponsorship options, please contact:
Ruth Wallbank, Head of Fundraising
📩 ruth.wallbank@rotherhamhospice.org.uk
Packages can be tailored to suit your business or personal preferences.
This fixture brings together two proud milestones:
Ruth Wallbank, Head of Fundraising at Rotherham Hospice, said:
“This really is the perfect way to end the season. Sharing a year that celebrates Rotherham United’s 100 years and our 30 years of living life’s wishes is something special.
To finish it together like this, with such fantastic support from the club and the Diamond Partners, means the world to us.”
When you take your seat at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, you are not just watching football.
You are helping to ensure that everyone in Rotherham can face the end of life with dignity, compassion and choice.
Hospice funding is under national scrutiny today as the Public Accounts Committee holds an evidence session examining the financial sustainability of adult hospices in England.
The session brings together sector leaders and senior health officials, including Hospice UK, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, to explore how hospice care is funded and how provision can be sustained as demand continues to rise.
As England’s population ages, demand for end of life care is increasing. However, national figures show that many independent adult hospices are experiencing growing financial pressure, with a large proportion operating at a deficit while continuing to deliver essential care in their local communities.
Rotherham Hospice has submitted written evidence to the Committee, sharing first-hand insight into hospice funding at a local level.
Our submission outlines the reality of delivering end of life care as an independent charity — balancing rising demand, workforce pressures and the ongoing reliance on charitable fundraising to support services that form a vital part of the wider health and care system.
Like many hospices across England, we continue to plan carefully to ensure services remain available for people and families who need specialist end of life care, now and in the future.
Today’s session is an important opportunity to improve understanding of how hospices are funded and the role they play within the health system.
A clear, consistent and sustainable approach to hospice funding would help provide long-term stability for hospices and ensure people living with a terminal illness — and those who love them — can access compassionate, high-quality care when it matters most.
Oral evidence begins at 3:30pm today.
You can watch the session live via the Parliamentary website:
In a landmark show of community support, TMG Mortgage Network has donated the naming rights of Parkgate FC’s home ground to Rotherham Hospice, helping shine a light on the life-changing care provided to families across the borough.
From Saturday 22 November, the venue will officially become the Rotherham Hospice Community Stadium — marking the first time in the region that a business has gifted naming rights to a local charity rather than using them for commercial promotion.
The official opening weekend will take place on Saturday 22 November, when Parkgate FC face Sheffield FC, followed by a Rotherham United Women’s fixture on Sunday 23 November. The two-day celebration, dubbed the Rotherham Hospice Weekend, will feature fundraising activities and special moments to honour patients, families, volunteers, and the wider community.
This unique partnership will kick-start a series of fundraising initiatives led by TMG Mortgage Network, supporting both grassroots football at Parkgate FC and the specialist end-of-life care Rotherham Hospice provides.
Scott Thorpe, CEO of TMG Mortgage Network and Lord of the Manor of Rotherham, said:
“Being part of this town has shaped who I am, both personally and in business. After being named Lord of the Manor of Rotherham earlier this year, I promised to give back in meaningful ways — and this is one of them.
Rotherham Hospice provides incredible support to families when they need it most, and Parkgate FC represents the beating heart of grassroots football. Bringing these two pillars of our community together under one banner felt powerful. It’s never been done before in this area, and I hope it inspires more businesses to back the causes that truly matter to local people.”
Albert Dudil, Chairman of Parkgate FC, said:
“This partnership goes beyond football — it’s about people. Our club has always been about community first, and with TMG’s support and the Hospice’s name on our ground, we can raise funds, awareness, and pride for Parkgate and Rotherham in a way we’ve never seen before.”
Ruth Wallbank, spokesperson for Rotherham Hospice, said:
“We’re deeply grateful to Scott and TMG Mortgage Network for this extraordinary gesture. The Rotherham Hospice Community Stadium will help us share our message of care and compassion with new audiences, while raising essential funds to continue supporting families across the borough.”
Unlike traditional corporate stadium sponsorships, TMG has gifted the naming rights to Rotherham Hospice — a move that highlights a growing shift toward purpose-led partnerships and community investment over commercial branding.
Official Stadium Renaming: Saturday 22 November
Match: Parkgate FC vs Sheffield FC
Sunday 23 November: Rotherham United Women’s fixture
Weekend events: Fundraising activities, family events, and community celebrations
Founded by Rotherham entrepreneur Scott Thorpe, TMG Mortgage Network supports over 100 appointed representative firms and 330+ advisers nationwide, taking a technology-led approach to mortgage and protection advice. Committed to giving back locally, TMG champions grassroots sport and local charities across South Yorkshire.
Rotherham Hospice provides specialist end-of-life care and support to patients and families, both at home and within the hospice. As an independent charity, we rely on the generosity of our community to continue delivering compassionate, personalised care that adds more life to every day.
Founded in 1969, Parkgate FC is the second largest club in Rotherham, with a capacity of 1,425. The team currently plays in the NCEL Premier Division after winning the Division One title last year.
Rotherham Hospice is proud to announce it has won two prestigious national awards at the 2025 Charity Times Awards: Change Project of the Year and Charity of the Year (Income £1m–£10m).
Shortlisted in six categories alongside national heavyweights such as Cash for Kids, Pancreatic Cancer UK, and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, Rotherham Hospice was celebrated on the national stage for reimagining hospice care and delivering outstanding services to local families.
In the past year alone, the hospice has supported more than 2,100 patients and their families, carried out over 11,000 home visits, and expanded its children’s bereavement services. It has also opened six new retail outlets, raised more than £10 million in income, grown its workforce, and invested heavily in staff training, wellbeing and systems — all while improving access to care across every community in Rotherham.
The Change Project of the Year award recognised the hospice’s Living Life’s Wishes strategy, developed with input from over 650 patients, families, staff, volunteers, and partners. The strategy commits the hospice to delivering more personalised support, expanding services further into homes and communities, starting care earlier at the point of diagnosis, making services inclusive and equitable, and securing sustainability for future generations.
Chief Executive Mat Cottle-Shaw said:
“To be recognised nationally is an incredible achievement for our hospice and our town. These awards celebrate not only the care we provide but also the courage and ambition of our whole community. Rotherham stood with us to shape our future, and this recognition belongs to everyone who supports, works with, or benefits from the hospice.”
Director of Income Generation Debbie Coulson added:
“This is about more than awards — it’s about what they represent. Every penny raised, every volunteer hour, every act of kindness helps us add more life to every day. We’re so grateful to our supporters for making this possible.”
Director of Clinical Services Jayne Lowe said:
“I’m incredibly proud of this award – it reflects exactly what Rotherham asked for from our hospice. That’s what makes it so special: we listened during our research, and we delivered. Knowing this achievement is something our community wanted makes it truly fantastic.”
Rotherham Hospice provides specialist end-of-life care to patients and families across the borough, both at the hospice and in people’s homes. As an independent charity, only around 37% of its funding comes from the NHS — the rest is raised through fundraising, donations, retail, and community support.
Together, with your help, we can continue to add more life to every day.