A HOSPICE close to many hearts in St Helens suffered catastrophic damage as a result of last weekend's thunderstorms.

With thunder and lightning storms hitting the town on Saturday, July 8, the facility at Willowbrook Hospice could not withstand the heavy downpour and its ceiling collapsed at around 10:30pm.

This resulted in gushes of water coming through the roof of the Portico Lane building in Prescot, which significantly damaged the hospice's meeting room.

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St Helens Star: The thunderstorms caused the ceiling collapse in the hospice meeting roomThe thunderstorms caused the ceiling collapse in the hospice meeting room (Image: Willowbrook Hospice)

While the ceiling of hospice bedrooms remained secure, heavy streams of water got into other areas of the hospice as well as residents' rooms.

As a precaution, two patients were safely transferred to other rooms as staff tried to manage the incident and isolate the building's electricity sources.

Following an investment to improve resident rooms and install solar panels to cut down on rising energy bills, the destruction is a huge setback for the palliative care hospice, which relies heavily on public donations.

St Helens Star: Water damage has been caused to multiple areas of the hospiceWater damage has been caused to multiple areas of the hospice (Image: Willowbrook Hospice)

While some damage costs are hoped to be covered by an insurance claim, it is believed that the freak incident will still hit the hospice financially.

Therefore, in order to recoup some of the money lost and repair the facility as quickly as possible, Willowbrook staff have set up an urgent appeal so residents can donate and help their cause.

St Helens Star: Electrics have had to be isolated to make the hospice rooms safeElectrics have had to be isolated to make the hospice rooms safe (Image: Willowbrook Hospice)

Alun Owen, Corporate Director at Willowbrook, said: "After investing money to improve the facilities at Willowbrook and make it a nicer place to be, it is a bit of a shocker to be hit by something like this.

"The community always shows its support for the hospice and it's another big ask, but we hope that the appeal can help us claim back some of the money that we have lost."

To donate to the Willowbrook appeal, you can text FLOOD followed by your donation amount to 70480 to give that amount, e.g. FLOOD5 to donate £5. You can also pay online at the hospice's fundraising page here.