Andy Burnham has announced that Wigan and Leigh Hospice is the latest recipient of a donation from his MP salary. The Prime Minister made the revelation in a video posted on social media on Sunday, August 22.
Mr Burnham pledged to give 15 per cent of his Makerfield MP salary each month to worthy local causes after winning the by-election in June. He previously donated 15 per cent of his salary as Mayor of Greater Manchester to help tackle homelessness in the region. Last week, he also said he would donate 15 per cent of the additional salary he receives as Prime Minister to homelessness causes.
Hospice praised for 'incredible work'
Wigan and Leigh Hospice, a registered charity on Kildare Street in Hindley, provides free palliative and end-of-life care to adults across the Wigan borough living with life-limiting illnesses. In a post on X, Mr Burnham said: "Wigan and Leigh Hospice does incredible work supporting local people and their families at some of the hardest moments of their lives. It was lovely to visit this weekend and spend time with patients and staff there. I’m proud to be donating 15% of my MP salary this month to support their work."
In a video posted from outside the building, he added: "I've known it for a long time. When I was the MP for Leigh in 2001, I got to know it, because it was in my constituency then. And it's back in it now. What would we do without them in this borough. Honestly, they do so much for people. Change families' lives. Give them hope. It's an incredible place, and the people who work here are absolutely unbelievable people."
Charity needs £13,000 a day
Mr Burnham described the hospice as "like a rock at the heart of the borough" and said it needs more help from the NHS and others. He said: "This place is like a rock at the heart of the borough, and we're all trying to support it. It does need more help too, from the NHS and others, and we'll come back to that another time. But I'm here as a small token of my appreciation for everyone involved in Wigan and Leigh Hospice. I'm making my MP salary donation to the hospice this month. I hope it helps. They have to raise a lot of money, £13,000 a day, they were just telling me."
He encouraged others to support the charity, saying: "So maybe if you've got a bit extra too, you might be able to support them as well. Anyway, I'm here to say on behalf, hopefully, of everyone in the Makerfield constituency, a massive thank you to everyone here at Wigan and Leigh Hospice for the incredible things you do."
So far, Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club, which was Mr Burnham's HQ during the by-election campaign, and Ashton Bears rugby league club have received donations from him.
