After more than three decades of service, Chris Roberts has stepped down as Chair of Francis House Children’s Hospice. The charity, established in 1990 to benefit the families of children with life-limiting conditions from across Greater Manchester, opened the fifth children’s hospice to be built in the UK in 1991.
During his nine-year tenure, Mr Roberts oversaw a period of significant growth, including the development of two residential properties providing a place of permanent residence for young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. Jane Kempler has been voted in as the new Chair, taking over from Mr Roberts.
Mr Roberts, a chartered accountant, initially joined the charity in 1992 as a trustee. Reflecting on his involvement, he said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to be involved at Francis House. The devotion of the staff to the young people and their parents is inspirational to say the least. My first impression of Francis House was walking into the reception to see a young girl running with a long tube attached to an oxygen tank, this being carried as fast as he could by a carer.”
He continued: “In more recent years the development of Francis Lodge and the residential accommodation has proved to be an outstanding project. Once more this is largely down to the vision and hard work of David Ireland and his team.”
Mrs Kempler, who joined the board of trustees in 2020, said: “Francis House plays a key part in the community on so many levels, as well as the clinical care there is the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual care that can never be underestimated. I am looking forward to working with the Francis House team and my fellow trustees in taking Francis House through the next phase in the history of the hospice, continuing the excellent delivery of care and working through future innovations.”
David Ireland, chief executive of Francis House, said: “Francis House has been fortunate to attract so many people who have given time and expertise freely in order to benefit our many families. Chris and Martin have been part of the fabric from the very beginning and Francis House has benefited so much from their guidance and leadership. We wish them long and healthy retirements and look forward to the next phase of our history as we move forward with Jane as Chair.”
After more than three decades of service, Chris Roberts has stepped down as Chair of Francis House Children’s Hospice. Established in 1990 to benefit the families of children with life-limiting conditions from across Greater Manchester, the hospice opened as the fifth children’s hospice to be built in the UK in 1991.
Mr Roberts, who joined the charity as a trustee in 1992, has overseen a period of significant growth, including the development of two residential properties providing a place of permanent residence for young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. Jane Kempler has been voted in as the new Chair, taking over from Mr Roberts.
Reflecting on his involvement, Mr Roberts said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to be involved at Francis House. The devotion of the staff to the young people and their parents is inspirational to say the least. My first impression of Francis House was walking into the reception to see a young girl running with a long tube attached to an oxygen tank, this being carried as fast as he could by a carer. In more recent years the development of Francis Lodge and the residential accommodation has proved to be an outstanding project. Once more this is largely down to the vision and hard work of David Ireland and his team.”
Mrs Kempler, who joined the board of trustees in 2020, said: “Francis House plays a key part in the community on so many levels, as well as the clinical care there is the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual care that can never be underestimated. I am looking forward to working with the Francis House team and my fellow trustees in taking Francis House through the next phase in the history of the hospice, continuing the excellent delivery of care and working through future innovations.”
David Ireland, chief executive of Francis House, said: “Francis House has been fortunate to attract so many people who have given time and expertise freely in order to benefit our many families. Chris and Martin have been part of the fabric from the very beginning and Francis House has benefited so much from their guidance and leadership. We wish them long and healthy retirements and look forward to the next phase of our history as we move forward with Jane as Chair.”
After more than three decades of service, Chris Roberts has stepped down as Chair of Francis House Children’s Hospice. The charity, established in 1990 to benefit the families of children with life-limiting conditions from across Greater Manchester, opened the fifth children’s hospice
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