A Sale man has stepped down as chair of a children's hospice after serving it for more than three decades.

Chris Roberts, 72, has left his role at Francis House Children’s Hospice after joining as a trustee in 1992 and taking over as chair in 2014.

Based in Didsbury, Francis House was established in 1990 and benefits the families of children with life-limiting conditions from across Greater Manchester.

During his nine years as chair, Mr Roberts oversaw a period of significant growth, with the development of two residential properties providing a place of permanent residence for young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

The ground-breaking projects in Didsbury and Heaton Moor, operated by Francis House Families Ltd, offer a comfortable and supportive living environment to a dozen young people. 

Mr Roberts stepped down as chair at a trustee meeting on Thursday, October 5, with Jane Kempler taking over the position having been voted in as the new chair.

As a chartered accountant in the early 1990s, Mr Roberts was visiting Wardley Hall, the Bishop of Salford’s residence and the finance office for the Diocese of Salford, when he was told there was a search for an accountant to join the trustees at Francis House.

Unable to refuse, Mr Roberts served on the main trustee body and the finance subcommittee since its inception. 

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.

“Whilst of course there are sad moments at the hospice, it is evident from the reactions of the young people and their families, and the testaments they give that it is a place they look forward to coming to and which provides a service not available elsewhere."

Jane Kempler joined the board of trustees in 2020 having recently retired from corporate life with experience in operational management of call centres, sales and customer service.

She said: “I would like to thank Chris for his many years as a trustee and Chair of the trustees and guiding me into this role.

“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, thanked Mr Roberts for his guidance and leadership.