Queenscourt founder Dr Karen Groves MBE made an impassioned plea for people to support their local hospice as she was awarded the Main Grand Pride Of Sefton Award.
There was a standing ovation as Dr Groves was invited to the stage to be presented with the Award at The Grand in Southport by Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group Commercial Director Geoff Wareham.
She founded Queenscourt 35 years ago, with the facility on Town Lane in Southport officially opened by Princess Diana in 1991.
Since then it has provided compassionate care to tens of thousands of families across Southport, Formby and West Lancashire.
It was a positive night for the charity, with Queenscourt Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley winning the Sefton Community Impact Award sponsored by Carlsberg.
Earlier this year it was announced that Queenscourt is facing its biggest ever financial challenges, as it battles to overcome a £2 million deficit with the support of the local community needed now more than ever.
Speaking on stage at The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards, Dr Karen Groves MBE said:
“I’m so proud to receive this Grand Pride Of Sefton Award on behalf of all those people who raised money to open Queenscourt Hospice in the first place, against all the odds; who have kept it running for all these years; and I know you will make it happen to keep it running in the future.
“I have worked out that the deficit that exists at the moment only requires 8,000 people to give a regular £5 a week – that’s a coffee and a cake – and Queenscourt’s services would be saved.”
Speaking on stage, presenter Fraser Dainton asked Dr Groves what keeps driving her on after so many years of supporting the hospice. She replied:
“Knowing that people need the care that Queenscourt gives, and the skills that the staff have.
“Nobody needs to struggle and be frightened when it comes towards the end of life.
“Life is for living, and we need to live every minute of it, for as long as we can.”
“Times are tough,” said Fraser Dainton. “How important are they to making sure that you carry on?”
Dr Groves replied: “Absolutely essential. They have been absolutely essential from the very beginning.
“This hospice belongs to the people of this area.”
When asked what kind of things she does to ensure people are well looked after, Dr Groves replied: “As soon as people come through the doors, or when people go to see them at home, it doesn’t have to be in the hospice itself.
“You know, we work in hospitals, in care homes, in people’s homes, and in the hospice.
“It doesn’t matter where somebody is. But it’s about taking away the fear, and relieving the symptoms so people feel better in themselves. And that can happen within a couple of hours. The beginnings of that can happen.
“But it’s about having staff who give confidence and having well educated and well skilled staff and we have got them, and we don’t want to make them redundant.”
The 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards celebrated selfless, talented and courageous people across 13 categories at The Grand in Southport on Friday night (24th April 2026).
The evening was hosted by former Sky Sports News presenter Fraser Dainton with VIP guests including HM Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside Peter Oliver OBE and Mayor of Sefton Cllr Burns, on one of her final engagements to crown her three busy years as Mayor.
Funds were raised on the night for the ICU Steps charity, which supports patients in intensive care and their families.
The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards are organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport in association with media partners In Demand Radio with support from Southport BID.
There are 13 categories including Child of Courage, School Of The Year, Community Impact, Charity Champion and more, plus the Main Award.
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