About the Charity
Rainbows Children's Hospice is located in Loughborough, Leicestershire on the edge of the Charnwood Forest. We are the children's hospice for the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. We provide respite, palliative and terminal care to families that include a child with a life limiting illness.
The project to build the hospice was first started in 1991. Harry and Gail Moore who had created the charity COPE and who had lost their daughter Laura to Leukaemia were asked to consider the creation of a children's hospice in the area.
A working party was set up comprising health professionals from throughout the East Midlands. These included representatives from the medical profession, special schools, health authorities etc. as well as the local council, planning authorities and architects.
Research was carried out which proved the need for a children's hospice. Much of this information was obtained from Leicester University and ACT.
A business plan was compiled which included a major media launch. A Design team was set up including The National Design Council and Kent Porter Warren - Architects who were advised by the working party on their requirements.
Much of the cost was subsidised by builders and other suppliers and many gave very generously of both their time and expertise. The general public responded warmly and the hospice was built in about 12 months by Gallifords East Midlands.
Staff were recruited before the hospice actually opened to allow for training and planning. The hospice was opened in October 1994.
