Rugby ace Sir Bill is our new President

We are delighted to report that we have welcomed International rugby legend Sir Bill Beaumont as the new President for Trinity Hospice.

Bill follows Jimmy Armfield, who was our much-loved President for many years and was involved in the very early days of planning for the hospice before it opened in 1985 along with his wife, Anne. Jimmy died in the hospice last January.

Bill, who is Chairman of World Rugby, will be an ambassador for our hospice, representing it in the community to encourage local support and attending fundraising events as well as hospice meetings.

He said: “It is an absolute honour and a privilege to have been asked to be President of Trinity Hospice. It is a charity that is very close to a lot of people’s hearts here on the Fylde coast, and one which I have always been very supportive of.

“Many people don’t know just how much Trinity relies on its local community to be able to keep its doors open every year, and how it must raise £5million to be able to provide its expert specialist care and support to everyone who needs it across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

“As time goes on, there will only be more people who need Trinity’s care, which means even more must be asked of those who support it.”

Bill will also be championing our dedicated Children’s Hospice, Brian House, which costs more than £1.2million each year to run, with less than £200,000 in support from government funding.

He added: “It is disappointing that in 2019 the government doesn’t fully fund Brian House, which must raise the majority of its funding each and every year to be able to care for young people with life-limiting illness and their families.

“Jimmy did incredible work for the hospice, so I know I have some huge shoes to fill. I am looking forward to doing all I possibly can to support this very worthwhile charity, and encouraging others to get behind Trinity Hospice and Brian House – the Fylde coast’s only children’s hospice.”

Bill is such a well-known personality across the Fylde coast and a highly respected sportsman, and he will bring so much to our very important and very special charity.

We are looking forward to working with him as Trinity continues to grow to reach every single person who needs its outstanding care, wherever they are, day and night.

Chairman of Trustees, Nigel Law, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Bill as our new President, and we’re all looking forward to working together for the absolute best of the hospice and the people it looks after.”