The Marina Dalglish Appeal has issued a £1 million lifeline to Queenscourt Hospice in Southport.
Lady Marina Dalglish MBE, Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside and the founder of the Marina Dalglish Appeal, announced the extraordinary support at the Strictly Queenscourt event at the Prince Of Wales Hotel in Southport on Saturday night (14th November 2026).
Lady Dalglish and husband Sir Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool FC’s greatest ever player, set up home in Southport in 1977 after Kenny was signed by the Reds from Celtic FC in Glasgow.
Since then the couple have been huge supporters of the local community in a huge number of ways.
Last night 10 amazing local people partnered with pro dancers to perform in front of a sell-out crowd to raise funds for Queenscourt, which cares for around 2,000 people across Southport, Formby and West Lancashire both in the hospice and through Queenscourt At Home.
As the winners were announced, Lady Dalglish walked onto the dancefloor and stood next to Queenscourt Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley as she made her announcement to a packed audience – with stunned silence followed by ecstatic cheering and applause.
Queenscourt Founder Dr Karen Groves MBE, who fought hard to open the hospice 35 years ago, with Princess Diana cutting the ribbon in 1991, was overcome by the news.
In July this year the Ward capacity at the hospice, on Town Lane in Southport, was reduced from 10 beds to five as part of a plan to battle a £2 million funding deficit. Cuts have also been made to Queenscourt at Home, Outpatient, Housekeeping and Catering services.
The Marina Dalglish Appeal has now stepped up with an incredible £1 million donation – as Lady Marina Dalglish issued a call to action, saying this funding was a first step towards saving Queenscourt and the services it offers, as she urged others to support our local hospice.
Speaking at Strictly Queenscourt, Lady Marina Dalglish MBE said:
“Next year, Kenny and I will have lived here in Southport for 50 years. We are proud Sandhounders.
“What we would like to do tonight is donate £1 million to Queenscourt Hospice.
“The hospice has gone from 10 in-patient rooms to five rooms.
“We need these beds because cancer has killed a lot of people, and cancer has killed a lot of my family.
“Twenty two years ago I had cancer, and now I am fine.
“Please God that Queenscourt Hospice can help everyone it needs to.”
Queenscourt Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley said: “I am speechless! A huge, huge thank you personally, and professionally.
“This is going to mean a lot to Queenscourt.
“We have had a tough year – and this is the highlight.
“Thank you Marina.”
On Saturday night, ten determined dancers put on show-stopping performances in the beautiful ballroom at The Prince Of Wales Hotel on Lord Street in Southport.
They were all taking part to raise as many funds as they can to support Queenscourt Hospice, which provides compassionate care to thousands of families across Southport, Formby and West Lancashire.
This year’s dancers were: Aoife O’Brien; Ryan Corlett; Kelly Stevens; Craig Kelly; Shaun Huyton; Craig Billington; Michelle Foster; Rob Smallman; Claire Mills; and Teresa Catterall.
You can dominate via the Strictly Queenscourt 2026! JustGiving page here: Strictly Queenscourt 2026! – JustGiving
Last year’s winners were Adam Mackin and Megan Hosker.
This event is proudly sponsored by: Southport Education Group; Kingswood Homes; Hurlston Hall; and Kirkwood Wilson.
- Are you interested in raising funds for Queenscourt Hopsice? Lease email Queenscourt Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley at: [email protected] or visit: Queenscourt Hospice | Where life is for living
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