Help us to help our children (From News Shopper)

Help us to help our children

10:07am Wednesday 6th June 2007

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NEWS SHOPPER is proud to announce the launch of a campaign to help raise £6.5m to build the area's first children's hospice.

DEMELZA Hospice Care for Children's Capital Appeal campaign has been adopted by News Shopper.

We want to help the charity reach its target so it can build a hospice for children with life-threatening illnesses.

It has already raised £1.3m towards its £6.5m target.

Youngsters from across south east London and north Kent will benefit from the new children's hospice in Wensley Close, Eltham.

Most children from south London who receive hospice care are currently looked after at Demelza's main site in Sittingbourne.

Demelza's head of fundraising James Hannaway says there is an overwhelming need for a children's hospice in south London.

He said: "There are more than 780 children and families in south London who could benefit from the service we can provide.

"This new hospice will give them more choice and a facility closer to home."

Planning permission for the new centre was granted by Greenwich Council in November 2005.

Building work started in March this year and the hospice is expected to be completed by December next year.

The six-bed hospice will provide short-term residential care for children.

There will also be accommodation for families who want to stay with their child.

In addition, the new hospice will provide end-of-life care and be used as a base for Demelza's home help and advice services.

Hospices for children receive no government funding, so raising the required cash is crucial to the completion of the project.

Demelza volunteer Carol Cremin has organised an event to raise money for the hospice at the Bickley Manor Hotel, Thornet Wood Road, Bickley, on Friday.

It will include a raffle, music, dancing and an auction offering items such as Eurostar tickets and a digital camera.

The 48-year-old company director said: "It's something I wanted to do. It's for a great cause.

"We are trying to make a great evening to make as much money as we can for the hospice."

Tickets for the event are £12.50. Call 0795 832 9015 to find out more.

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

If you want to organise an event to help the hospice reach its target, call reporter Michael Reilly on 01689 885790, and News Shopper will help publicise it.

For more information about the hospice, visit demelza.org.uk

Demelza is a registered charity (charity number 1039651).

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