Community support saves nine beds from imminent closure at Arthur Rank Hospice

• 19 January 2026

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity has today (Monday 19 January) announced that community support has saved nine under-threat beds from closure for a year following £829,000 funding cuts.

The Cambridge-based charity launched its Protect Our Care campaign in October last year following news that Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) planned to terminate its contract to fund the beds, which runs until March.

The Charity said it had been overwhelmed by the heartfelt reaction of the Cambridgeshire community, with people making life-changing donations and organising events, local businesses and community groups offering financial support and individuals providing regular gifts and offers of gifts in kind.

The support means families can stay with their loved ones without the additional concerns of parking fees, and restrictions on visiting hours or numbers for the next 12 months. The Hospice’s environment also offers privacy, space for meaningful conversations and the opportunity to create lasting memories together.

Following news of the funding cuts, the clinical team at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity has been reviewing how it funds the beds and delivers its services to the Cambridgeshire community moving forward.

Sharon Allen, CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: “Thank you from all of us here at the Charity to all of you who have supported us. The removal of the funding has been a significant worry. We continue to be grateful to those who have rallied around us and committed to financial support for the next 12 months whilst we seek stable funding options. Local people deserve the outstanding care our colleagues can offer, and we are grateful that, for now, we are in a position where beds are not reduced. We must find long-term, sustainable funding for hospice care on a national basis. We do not want to be in this same position in a years’ time. The future is still uncertain, and the ending of this service would, without doubt, have huge implications for our local community and must be protected at all costs.”

Anne-Marie Hoare, whose son died at the hospice in 2018, aged 24, said: “Sometimes we don’t get the choice of the place of our final breath, but if you are lucky enough to be able to decide, go to Arthur Rank Hospice. It is a free service, we did not pay a penny, but we all fundraise, the whole family and friends. Why? Because they want to keep the doors open for the people that come behind. The place of love in a time of pain.”

Sharon Allen continued: “This is a welcome but temporary reprieve for twelve months, so our work and the support we need doesn’t stop here. Over the coming months we will continue to explore new sustainable funding opportunities and plan for increased fundraising needs. Our next step is to look at different service models and how these could be funded, accepting that unfortunately there are no guarantees this will be possible.”

The Charity is asking the Cambridgeshire community to continue to support them in any way they can. This could be a one-off donation, signing up to become a Friend of Arthur Rank Hospice via a regular gift, or considering a gift in their Will. They are also calling on Cambridgeshire businesses to consider a two to three-year financial commitment. With 40 businesses donating or fundraising £20,000, another year of care would be secured.

Charlie King, Director of External Affairs at Hospice UK, said: “We were disappointed at the removal of the contract, which caused distress and uncertainty for the local community and the staff and volunteers of Arthur Rank Hospice who were forced to prepare for cut beds and staff redundancies.

“The community response has been heartening, and it is wonderful that their generosity has brought temporary reprieve, enabling the beds to remain open for at least the next 12

months. Hospices are truly treasured by their local community, and the people of Cambridge have stepped up to save a vital service which supports people to die with comfort and dignity, surrounded by their loved ones.

“But these vital services should not have to rely so heavily on charitable donations. We need long term, sustainable funding for hospices so they can be there for everyone who needs them, free from worry about how they will keep the lights on or beds open.”

Sharon Allen added: “Our thanks, as always, go to our outstanding team of staff and volunteers who continue to care and support each family who come through our doors during these uncertain times. Offering dignity and personalised care to each patient is what makes every moment count.”

See a video update from Sharon Allen, below:

For more information, visit www.arhc.org.uk/protectourcare