Rotherham Hospice to Feature on Rotherham United’s Centenary Shirt Thanks to Diamond Partners

We’re incredibly proud to announce that Rotherham Hospice will appear on the front of Rotherham United’s official 2025/26 shirts, as part of a landmark charity partnership during the club’s Centenary season.

This special edition Rotherham United Centenary shirt will carry our refreshed Hospice logo across all three kits, bringing national visibility to the work we do right here in the local community.

Celebrating 100 Years of the Millers – and 30 Years of the Hospice

As Rotherham United celebrates its 100th anniversary, we’ll be marking our own major milestone – 30 years of providing specialist end of life care in Rotherham.

To be selected as the charity to front the Millers’ Centenary kit is a powerful show of unity – a coming together of two local institutions that have been part of this community for generations.

We’re deeply thankful to AESSEAL, Hughie Construction, IPM Group, Mears Group, SteelPhalt and TMG Mortgage Network, whose generosity has made this possible through the club’s Diamond Partnership programme.

Charity Shirt Sponsorship with Real Impact

Being featured on the Rotherham United home, away and third shirts isn’t just about visibility – it’s about community impact. Every time these kits are worn, they raise awareness of the growing need for support at Rotherham Hospice.

We now require over £10 million a year to keep our care going – and around £6 million of that must come from charitable donations. This platform will help amplify our voice at a time when it’s never been more vital.

Two Local Legends. One Mission.

Join the Movement

The 2025/26 Rotherham United shirt sponsorship isn’t just about football – it’s a bold reminder of what happens when Rotherham pulls together.

As our logo takes to the pitch at the AESSEAL New York Stadium and beyond, we hope it brings attention to the work we do every day: easing the physical and emotional pain of death and dying in our town.

Support Rotherham Hospice today. Help us add more life to every day.

Millers Fans Bring Tivoli End Back to Life for Hospice Fundraiser

Millers Fans Bring Tivoli End Back to Life for Hospice Fundraiser

e’re absolutely thrilled to share some brilliant news with you about a unique fundraising event that promises to bring the roar of The Tivoli End back to life. On Saturday 11th January 2025, after Rotherham United’s home game against Bolton Wanderers, you’ll have the chance to join Millers supporters – and members of the historic 1980/81 squad – for a day of singing, reminiscing, and celebrating in aid of our Hospice.

Stepping Back in Time

For one magical afternoon, you can set foot back at Millmoor and relive the energy of The Tivoli End. A group of dedicated fundraisers have teamed up with local musician LPMC to re-record the iconic club anthem ‘Millermen’, originally performed with the help of that remarkable 1980/81 side. This time around, it’s your turn to be part of the chorus!

What makes this re-recording even more special is the blessing of Frank Hopkinson’s family, who wrote and performed the original ‘Millermen.’ His loved ones will be in attendance, joining in to keep Frank’s memory alive. We can’t think of a more perfect way to unite our community and celebrate Rotherham’s heritage.

How Your Donation Helps

We’re delighted to have the support of John Breckin, our wonderful Rotherham Hospice Ambassador and a vital part of Rotherham United’s history. He’s been instrumental in driving this event forward. Here’s what he has to say:

“I am massively excited for next week’s event. For me personally, it will be an amazing occasion and the first time that we’ve all been back together as a squad at Millmoor in 44 years since that famous day against Plymouth when we won the league in 1981.

“I want people to know that my singing hasn’t improved since the 80s, so please don’t worry if you want to get involved and you’re not a karaoke star. This is something for everyone young and old and I am reliably informed that they can even make me sound better if they have to in the final edit!

“We’ve done some really unique things to raise money for the Hospice over the years, but this might be one of the best yet. Let’s have a drink, a sing-song and bring The Tivoli back to life for one night only! Up the Millers.”

Hear It From Our Hospice Ambassador

We couldn’t do any of this without the support of our amazing community. If you’d like to help, there are lots of ways to get involved:

  • Fundraise: Host an event, join a sponsored challenge, or support us through your business.
  • Donate: Every little bit helps us provide care for those who need it most.
  • Volunteer: Join our team of dedicated volunteers who make such a big difference every day.

To learn more about our new strategy, upcoming events, or how you can get involved, visit our website or give us a call. Together, we can make a difference and add more life to every day.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

Easy Ways to Donate and Join In

Ready to sign up? There are two simple ways:

  1. Online Donation

    • Head over to the JustGiving link.
    • Donate £20 and leave your full name.
    • We’ll add you to our sign-in list for entry on the day.
  2. Pay on the Day

    • If online donations aren’t for you, don’t worry!
    • Simply bring £20 and hand it to one of our Rotherham Hospice representatives at the Millmoor turnstiles on 11th January.

If you’d like to support without taking part in the singing, you can still donate £20, and we’ll pop your name on the list. Even if you don’t feel like belting out a tune, you’re very welcome to come along and soak up the atmosphere or simply make a contribution from afar.

Thank You for Your Support

We can’t say thank you enough to everyone who’s helped turn this fantastic idea into reality – from local businesses offering sponsorship, to the Booth family, and of course, each of you who will be donating or attending. Rotherham’s passion for football and our community never fails to amaze us at the Hospice, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

So, get your singing voices warmed up, dust off your vinyl player, and come along to make new memories in an old, much-loved stadium. We can’t wait to welcome you at Millmoor for a nostalgic day that will make a real difference to people in our care.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Rotherham Hospice

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Rotherham Hospice

Everyone at Rotherham Hospice wishes you a Merry Christmas

This Christmas, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude and share the incredible impact your support has had on Rotherham Hospice throughout 2023. The past year has been marked by unwavering support, remarkable milestones, and the ever-present spirit of our incredible community and we wanted to reflect on these 

Caring for Each and Every Individual

So far in 2023, our dedicated team at Rotherham Hospice provided compassionate care to 437 individuals on our InPatient Unit. It’s a testament to the commitment of our staff, ensuring that each person received the comfort and support they needed during challenging times. In addition to this, our outreach extended to 8,624 home visits, bringing our services directly to those who required it most. Our 1,100 counselling sessions provided a crucial lifeline to loved ones, offering support and solace as they navigated the complex emotions that accompany loss.

Our Sunbeams Children’s Bereavement Group played a vital role in helping 328 children find healing and connection in a safe and supportive environment. It’s in these small moments of connection and understanding that we see the profound impact of our work.

Community Spirit in Action

The spirit of the Rotherham community shone brightly through the incredible fundraising efforts throughout the year. The Midnight Memory Walk in June raised an astounding £61,000, and the Light Up a Life campaign during Christmas garnered over £25,000. Your generosity has allowed us to expand our reach and continue our mission of providing care and support to those in need.

A significant milestone in our journey was the announcement by Rotherham United, with 6 Diamond Partners investing in featuring Rotherham Hospice as the main sponsor on the 23/24 season shirt. The overwhelming support from the club, Diamond Partners, and the RUFC community has been instrumental in propelling our cause forward and we can’t thank them enough for all their support in 2023.

Read more about the Diamond Partners here.

Your Voices Shape Our Future

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in our survey, sharing valuable thoughts, ideas, and stories. Your input is the compass that guides us as we strive to improve and enhance our services to better serve our community. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to complete our survey here. Your feedback is invaluable as we continue to shape the future of your Hospice for your loved ones.

Looking Ahead to 2024

The coming year holds exciting promises for Rotherham Hospice, with more fundraising events than ever. Save the dates for the Quiz Party Night at Magna on Friday, March 15th, the return of the Midnight Memory Walk on Saturday, June 22nd, and our Inaugural Rotherham Hospice Ball at Magna on Saturday, September 28th. Be sure to sign up and join us in making these events memorable successes.

Our commitment to caring for the Rotherham community remains unwavering. Through our Hospice, Hospice at Home team, bereavement services, and Sunbeams Children’s Bereavement Support, we will continue to provide comfort, understanding, and support to those who need it most.

As we celebrate the joy of the festive season, let us also celebrate the strength and resilience of our community. Thank you for being an essential part of the Rotherham Hospice family. May your Christmas and New Year be filled with love, warmth, and cherished moments.

The Diamond Partners Shine a Light on Rotherham Hospice

Diamond partners shine a light on Rotherham Hospice

The Diamond Partners making a big difference to hospice care in Rotherham

 In June 2023 6 local businesses came together to form the Diamond Partners. In an inspiring act of community spirit AESSEAL, Mears, SteelPhalt, Equisolve, Hughie Construction and IPM Group put Rotherham Hospice on Rotherham United Football Club‘s official 23/24 season football kit.

Rotherham Hospice Director of Income Generation Stephen King explains the difference the Diamond Partners have had 4 months on:

The impact of the partnership has been huge. Rotherham Hospice has never had so much exposure in the local area. We are finding that conversations about the charity are a lot easier to have with businesses and supporters, as most are now aware of who we are and what we do. 

Another huge benefit of this partnership is the increase in corporate support over the past few months. We have had several companies invest in sponsorship opportunities for various events including Light Up A Life & the Christmas Fair. We have also seen an increase in the amount of companies that want to support us as their Charity of the Year.

Everyone at the Hospice is grateful to the Diamond Partners for making this happen. The level of publicity we have received as a result has been something we could not possible have achieved by ourselves.

The number of heart-warming comments supporting the initiative was overwhelming and clearly shows the unfaltering community spirit that Rotherham United fans have for Rotherham Hospice and their local community.

Increased awareness and the support that has brought means we can care for more local families at a time it matters most. So far this year:

How you've helped Rotherham Hospice

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

Thank you!

RUFC vs Leeds United Charity Ticket Auction

RUFC vs Leeds United Charity Blind Ticket Auction

RUFC vs Leeds United Charity Ticket Auction

Rotherham Hospice has one set of 4 lounge tickets available for Rotherham United vs Leeds United on Friday 24th November. 

Hospitality tickets for this game are SOLD OUT so this could be your only chance to get your hands on such an amazing experience! These tickets have a value of £720.

These are available by blind auction to the highest bidder.

To place your bid

Email marketing@rotherhamhospice.org.uk with your:

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Sealed bid amount
The deadline for auction entries is: Sunday 5th November by Midnight (GMT)

Thank you to Diamond Partner AESSEAL for kindly donating these match tickets. All proceeds from the auction go to Rotherham Hospice.

Terms & Conditions

  • Entries via comments or DMs will not count and will not be monitored. Only entries made to marketing@rotherhamhospice.org.uk will be counted.
  • Winning bidders must make payment to Rotherham Hospice by Tuesday 7th November at 3pm. If after this time payment has not been received, your bid will be cancelled and we will offer the tickets to the next highest bidder.
  • Please pay by BACS or cash into the Hospice. No cheques will be accepted. 
  • Lounge tickets include a 3-course meal, waitress service, seats to watch the match, a match programme, entertainment before and after the game & 1 car parking space.
  • Children are permitted to use the tickets, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
  • These tickets are non-refundable and cannot be re-sold.
  • After completing your purchase, your name will be sent to Rotherham United as the main contact for the table of 4. You may be asked for ID before entry is granted.
  • If you have purchased your tickets and wish to give them as a gift or have purchased them on behalf of someone, please email marketing@rotherhamhospice.org.uk to confirm the name of the person that will be attending the hospitality.
  • All hospitality guests are asked to dress appropriately and adhere to a smart casual dress code. The dress code is relaxed for under 16’s. Please note that away colours are NOT permitted within the hospitality areas.
  • Away supporters are permitted to purchase tickets, however, the hospitality facilities are located within the Home Areas of Rotherham United, and therefore visiting supporters are advised to always act with discretion. Rotherham United will not tolerate any disruptive behaviour and may be asked to leave.
  • Both Rotherham Hospice & Rotherham United do not accept any liability and can withdraw the tickets at any time.
  • All tickets are subject to Rotherham United FC T&Cs.
  • No bidder’s identity will be made public, unless the winning bidder agrees to do so.
Please be aware of scammers! We will contact the winners directly to the provided email and phone number, never via social media. 

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services. We can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

Find out more about how your support impacts Rotherham families here.

£20, £50 or £100 raised could make a big difference to Rotherham Hospice

Rotherham United FC proudly support the Hospice

John breckin, Steve Coakley and Stephen King hold the 23/24 season RUFC official shirt with Rotherham Hospice logo

Rotherham United proudly supports local Hospice

 In an inspiring act of community spirit, Rotherham United Football Club has unveiled its new 23/24 season official football kit, with Rotherham Hospice taking centre stage! 

Rotherham United Commercial Director Steve Coakley explains: 

“For the forthcoming 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign we were determined to look at doing something different, innovative and community-based because we felt that best represented what Rotherham United is all about.”

Several local businesses came together to form the Diamond Partnership, which funded the sponsorship deal, allowing Rotherham Hospice to reach thousands more people at no cost to the Hospice.  Read more about the Diamond Partnership here.

Rotherham Hospice Director of Income Generation Stephen King adds:

“What makes this even more special is the support of the local businesses who have made this possible. Their generosity means that it will be the Rotherham Hospice sunflower logo sitting proudly on that famous red shirt. The exposure Rotherham Hospice will receive next season is incredible.

Everyone connected to Rotherham Hospice would like to thank Rotherham United for their unbelievable support.

This partnership will not only have a huge impact on our patients, families, volunteers, and staff, it will bring the people of Rotherham together in support of their Hospice.” 

Rotherham Hospice Deputy Clinical Director Jayne Lowe is keen to explain how having  Rotherham Hospice so visible helps:

“Many people may not know what services are available to them when they find themselves or a relative or friend experiencing an end-of-life illness. By having Rotherham Hospice front & centre on the RUFC shirts, we can let people know we exist and are here to help! 

The difference hospice care makes to people’s lives is amazing.

Hospice care is all about making the most of the time you have left. Our community nurses help people stay in their own homes wherever possible, and our In-Patient nurses help with symptom management and giving families a peaceful, calm place to spend time together. All of this we provide free of charge, but only with help from of our amazing supporters like Rotherham United FC!”

Rotherham Hospice would like to thank RUFC Chairman Tony Stewart &  Honorary Life-Time President John Breckin for keeping the Hospice and the Rotherham people close to heart, Commercial Director Steve Coakley for all your hard work in getting this done, all the Diamond Partnership businesses who contributed financially to make it happen and every Miller fan who has helped the Hospice throughout the years.

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

John Breckin appointed Ambassador for Rotherham Hospice

John Breckin Ambassador for Rotherham Hospice

The Hospice means so much to me. They were there for me and my family, just as they are for all Rotherham families.

Rotherham Hospice is thrilled to announce John Breckin, Rotherham United FC legend, as Ambassador for the Hospice.

John has contributed to the creation of some of our most popular events including the Midnight Memory Walk, Red Glove Day at Rotherham United’s football ground and his annual cricket match at Wickersley Old Village Cricket Club. Not only that, but John is keen to do more.

John Breckin midnight walk

John’s support for Rotherham Hospice is longstanding, having lost his wife at the Hospice in 2006, and his daughter attended the Sunbeams support group the Hospice offers to bereaved families. Both before and after his wife’s death, John has been a constant supporter of the Hospice, giving so much of his time to helping the Hospice stay running.

 

As Ambassador, John plans to continue to be a beacon in the community for the charity, encouraging everyone to take part in fundraising events, contribute what they can financially and donate their well-needed services to the Hospice.

 

John is a frequent friendly face in the Hospice, saying hello to staff and patients whenever he comes in, signing books for people on the ward and throwing ideas around the fundraising office. 

It was only fitting, therefore, that when we asked John what he would like to do to celebrate the announcement of him as our Rotherham Hospice Ambassador, he asked for a small gathering with Hospice staff on Hospice grounds.

“Thank you all for sharing today with me. The Hospice means so much to me. They were there for me and my family, just as they are for all Rotherham families. It’s an honour and I’ll do whatever I can to keep this place going,” John said, in his speech in our gardens on 1st September. “You, the staff, are the Hospice. You keep it going. Every time I come down, there’s smiles on your faces and it really does make people feel at home and welcome.”

When asked why we decided to make John Breckin our Ambassador, Stephen King, Director of Income Generation for Rotherham Hospice said;

“It’s not enough to just say thank you for all his fundraising efforts. We wanted to recognise John’s achievement and dedication by appointing him as ambassador for Rotherham Hospice. We are looking forward to flying the flag for Rotherham Hospice with John for years to come.”

Thank you, John, for all that you do! The Hospice wouldn’t be where it would be today without your support and everyone here is excited to work with you more in the future.

Read all about John Breckin's amazing story in his biography. All proceeds go to Rotherham Hospice
John Breckin Ambassador for Rotherham Hospice

Thank you for all your support at the Rotherham Show!

volunteer at Rotherham Show

Thank you to everyone who came by the Rotherham Hospice stand at this year’s Rotherham Show.

It was wonderful to meet so many supporters face to face, and to hear how Rotherham Hospice has touched your lives.

The Rotherham Show was your first chance to grab a Rotherham Hospice 2023 calendar, featuring beautiful local landmarks shot by our calendar photo competition winners. They did an amazing job showcasing what Rotherham has to offer. 

We also launched this year’s Christmas cards, and had an amazing array of bric-a-brac at bargain prices. 

If you missed out this time, limited stock of calendars, Christmas cards and diaries will be available in our charity shops and to buy online soon. Sign up to the Hospice email newsletter to find out when!

An absolutely enormous thank you goes out to our brilliant volunteers Batool, Fatima and Sam who helped man the Rotherham Hospice stand over the weekend. 

Our volunteers are a big part of what makes the Hospice such a special place. There are lots of different volunteering opportunities available to suit different skills and lifestyles. Find out more here.

We’d also like to thank our partners at Local Hospice Lottery who work tirelessly to support the Hospice through our lottery game. Playing Local Hospice Lottery is an easy way to support the Hospice, and each week somebody wins £2000 cash! It’s a win-win. Find out more and how to join Local Hospice Lottery here.

All proceeds from the Rotherham Show will go towards funding Rotherham Hospice’s vital end-of-life services, such as community nursing, the 14 bed In-Patient Unit and bereavement counselling. 

As a charity, Rotherham Hospice gets just 50% of its funding from the government, and needs to raise £3 million each year to keep supporting our Rotherham families. Thank you for your support!

Millers Legends come together for Rotherham Hospice

Miller Legends night cheque presentation

Rotherham Hospice is more than grateful for the members of Rotherham’s community that dedicate their time to fundraise for us. One such member is Kev Johnson, a long-time supporter of Rotherham Hospice, Rotherham United fan and pillar of the Rotherham community.  

This month, Kev organised a ‘Millers Legends Night’ at Rotherham Rugby Club, where fans of Rotherham United could join a Q&A session with some of their favourite ex-players, enjoy live music from Damian Luke and the Sweet Beast, and have a meal of pie and peas kindly provided by the Rugby Club themselves. 

A big thank you to John Stiles for hosting the Q&A, interviewing the likes of Millers Legends John Breckin (pictured with Kev Johnson), Guy Branston, Mark Todd, Ronnie Moore and Ben Pringle.

The night raised an amazing total of £6000 through ticket sales, raffle tickets and an auction, which will help fund patient care and bereavement support for our Rotherham families. The event wouldn’t have been possible without its incredible sponsors – Eric Twigg Foods, Cascade Drainage and Rainworth Skoda – and the generosity of those that donated the raffle prizes and auction items. 

All the staff & volunteers at Rotherham Hospice would like to thank Kev Johnson for organising such a brilliant event, dedicating his time to putting it all together and making sure it ran as smoothly as it did.

 Kev has raised money for Rotherham Hospice before by raffling off a signed RUFC shirt and donating excess funds from Mark Smith’s signed Shearer shirt to the Hospice. Altogether he has raised almost £10,000 for the Hospice this year alone! 

millers legend night

When asked why he chooses to support Rotherham Hospice, Kev says, “it’s a charity that’s at the heart of our community.”

And he’s not stopping! Kev has even bigger plans for fundraising events to come, watch this space!

Has Kev inspired you to be a Hospice Hero? You could run a race, do a bake sale, take on a daredevil challenge (check out our Events Diary to see what’s on) or fundraise via your business. There are lots of ways to get involved, find out more on our fundraising page.

HOWZAT?! RUFC and Wickersley OVCC play charity cricket match to raise money for Rotherham Hospice

Charity Cricket Match

Last Friday saw John Breckin’s annual charity cricket match between Rotherham United Football Club and Nigel Hatton’s Wickersley Old Village Cricket Club taking place. The event was, as always, free to attend, with people donating whatever they could in aid of Rotherham Hospice.

 After much crossing of fingers that the great British summer would cooperate, the weather just about held out and John Breckin’s men were ready to face Wickersley OVCC in what has affectionately become known as the Hospice Cup.

 2022 has been an amazing year for Rotherham United,Wickersley OVCC winning the Rotherham Hospice cup winning the Papa John Trophy and promotion to the EFL Championship, however it wasn’t to be this evening, as the Millers lost the Hospice Cup for the first time. Congratulations to Wickersley OVCC! Still, there were no hard feelings as both teams contributed massively to raising funds for Rotherham Hospice, a cause close to John and Nigel’s hearts.

Through donations, sponsorship, raffle tickets and a charity auction after the game, a brilliant total of £8,857.09 has been raised. 

Special thanks to our corporate sponsors Eric Twigg Foods (who donated all the Pukka Pies sold on the night), Burrows Motors, Dick Habbin, W Restaurant, Broadsword, ELR, Richard Roebuck, PA Entertainments, and Hume & Co. Having the support of our local business community is vital to ensuring Rotherham Hospice can keep supporting families for years to come. If you would like to find out more about how your business could support Rotherham Hospice, please check out our Corporate Partners page here.

"It's been an unbelievable night!...Everybody has turned out and they've been so generous. Especially in these hard times, I can't thank people enough."

 As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to continue providing vital end-of-life care and support to our local community. Everyone at the Hospice would like to thank John Breckin, Nigel Hatton, and all those who generously donated their time, effort and money to make this event a great success. If you would like to contribute, you can donate to Rotherham Hospice here.

The last word from John:

"At the end of the day, it's for the Hospice. Hopefully you don't need it, but if you do need it, it's there for you. It belongs to us people of Rotherham and we must keep it going."