Hospice to get vital cash after North Tyneside hotel sale

Feb 22 2010 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

A TYNESIDE couple have proved charity begins at home as they offer hospice bosses vital cash from the sale of their family-run hotel.

Jennifer and Paul Jarvis, the owners of PJs Hotel, on Station Road, Percy Main, North Tyneside, say they have made St Oswald’s Hospice an offer they cannot refuse.

Instead of using the usual routes to sell their business and home, the pair have abandoned the idea of approaching an estate agent and have made the heart-warming decision to donate £100,000 after they have sold the 15-bedroom property.

Valued at more than £800,000, it was originally built in the 19th Century as a public house and has been used as a restaurant, pub and hotel since then.

The couple, who have six children between them, have decided they wish to spend more time with their grandchildren and cut back on the hours they work.

St Oswald’s is a cause close to both their hearts as relatives have spent time in the hospice.

Jennifer, a former nurse, said: “Both Paul and I have first-hand knowledge of hospice care and we’ve been supporters of St Oswald’s for many years.

“We thought this would be something a bit different which will help to raise awareness for St Oswald’s. It will be much better giving money towards the hospice than to an estate agent.

“My mother was in the hospice for quite a long time and I saw how well she was looked after. It is almost like checking into a five-star hotel, all the staff are so lovely, so we are more than happy to help out.

“Almost everyone knows someone who at some point has needed the help and support of a hospice. It is a fabulous cause as it is so impressive and the nurses are wonderful.

“Hopefully this might open the floodgates for them and other people who happen to be in a fortunate position like us to follow suit.”

St Oswald’s Hospice, based in Gosforth, Newcastle, provides specialist care to adults and children with life-limiting conditions across the region.

The grandmother-of-three added: “We had never run a hotel before we bought it in 2004, but we thought it was a good opportunity.

“We didn’t realise how much of our time it would take up but we have given it a really good shot. We are also getting to a time in our lives where we want to make it a bit easier and slow down a little.”

Her husband Paul said the guesthouse could be easily converted into a residential home or a three-storey block of flats. The 56-year-old said: “Estate agents fees to sell the property would be about £30,000. But instead of paying that, we’d rather a good, local cause benefited from the sale which is why we thought of St Oswald’s immediately.” Their inspirational decision is the latest property sale to benefit North East Charities.

Last year The Journal revealed how millionaire businessman Brian Burnie was selling luxury Northumberland hotel Doxford Hall and giving the profits to charity.

Anita Irving, the director of community fundraising at St Oswald’s, said the charity were incredibly grateful to the couple.

She said: “We were absolutely thrilled to hear from Paul and Jennifer regarding this unique fundraising idea. We think it’s a great initiative which should attract a lot of attention and we hope eventually, a sale.

“As a registered charity we rely heavily on the kindness and commitment of our local community -– individuals and business alike. This is the first time we’ve been approached with anything like this and we’re hoping it will be a great success.”

:: To find out more visit www.stoswaldsuk.org or www.pjshotel.co.uk