Hospice haven for sick children

The hospice offers youngsters and their families support and activities

A hospice caring for young patients with life-limiting illnesses will open four years after fundraising began.

The Treetops Hospice in Stoke-on-Trent will welcome its first young patients on Monday as four seriously ill youngsters move in.

The Donna Louise Trust, named in memory of a 15-year-old girl from Stoke who died from cystic fibrosis, has spent four years raising millions of pounds for the hospice at Trentham Lakes.

Pop star Robbie Williams, the Trust's patron, has already paid a visit and hospice staff are hoping he will return now the site's young patients are arriving.

Last week the charity received its official registration certificate from the National Care Standards Commission giving it the go ahead to start taking patients.

The hospice hopes to offer support and respite care for around 250 life-limited children and their families each year.

Four of the eight beds are now open and the hospice also offers five family rooms.

Glyn Berwick, chief executive of the Trust, said: "It will take £1.25m to keep Treetops running in its first year so we are still raising funds.

"But it is wonderful that we can finally welcome these families and offer them the opportunity to spend a few days here and receive some respite care."