A CHILDREN'S hospice is halfway to being completed.

The hospice, being built by charity Demelza Hospice Care for Children, is due to be completed in time for an opening ceremony this Christmas.

It has now had a roof added, been made watertight and is ready for fittings to be added.

When it is finished, the hospice in Wensley Close, Eltham, will provide residential short breaks for children in a six-bed unit, together with accommodation for families.

It will also offer daycare, homecare services, end of life care and bereavement advice for families.

The charity, which has been trying to raise £6.5m for the hospice, says the adding of the roof is a major landmark in the building process and means the project has reached its halfway point.

Demelza director of fundraising James Hanaway said: "This is an exciting moment in the project and one more step towards helping hundreds of children and families in south London.

"Thanks to the countless support from people, businesses, groups and clubs, we are also just about halfway on our fundraising target as well."

He added: "We still need a further £3.5m to complete the building and ensure we can run it through the first year.

"Through our Walk of Life campaign backed by Gary Lineker and our Buy a Brick initiative, the community can give a little or a lot and be part of something which will make a real difference to families in south London."

News Shopper is backing the campaign to raise funds and on February 2 news editor Helen Backway will raise money by plummeting 10,000ft during a sponsored skydive at Headcorn Aerodrome, near Maidstone.

You can sponsor Helen by clicking here

To donate, send cheques payable to Demelza Capital Appeal, c/o News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1BT.

For more about the hospice, click here