A SUBSTANTIAL donation by Bolton builders Seddon has made a children’s hospice in Radcliffe debt-free and ready to open.

Grace’s Place, based at the former Bury Hospice site had been due to open in 2014 but suffered a number of severe setbacks, falling into £359,000 of debt.

Among its liabilities was more than £270,000 owed to Seddon, which undertook the alteration and refurbishment of the Dumers Lane facility.

However, the firm has now agreed to donate the outstanding balance that was owed to it for the building work, meaning the hospice can finally take significant steps towards opening.

A spokesman for the Grace’s Place trustees said: “Now that Seddon has kindly donated the outstanding balance owed for the building works, we can finally move forward. There are many children with a life limiting illness who live nearby but are having to travel far and wide to receive the treatment and care they need. This was the reason for starting Grace’s Place in the first place.

“We would like to thank our supporters, partners and especially Seddon for working with us during this difficult time and continuing to believe in what we are trying to do.”

Most of the work to convert the building, after Bury Hospice moved to its new base in Rochdale Old Road, was paid for with a £507,000 grant received by Bury Hospice from the Department of Health.

Keith Waddington, director of Seddon, said: “Providing children with life-limiting illnesses in Bury and the surrounding areas with this vital care facility was the most important thing for us.

“We’re pleased to have achieved a resolution so that Grace’s Place can begin to provide the region’s young people with a high quality, comfortable environment.”

Last year, a probe was launched to determine the future of Grace’s Place once and for all, at the same time as an independent inquiry into Bury Hospice’s troubles was also completed.

The Grace’s Place charity was set up in 2013 as part of a partnership between Bury Hospice and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. It is managed independently by three trustees – Cllr Joan Grimshaw, Christine Joyce and John Schofield.

Key supporters of the Grace’s Place project have included Ivan Lewis MP and radio presenter Sara Cox.