Celebrations as new Kidney Kids unit is open

The project to build the new unit began in June 2009 and it's now up and running

After months of fundraising by BBC WM listeners, a new purpose-built unit for young kidney patients has opened at Birmingham Children's hospital.

The Kidney Kids Appeal was launched in July 2008 with a target of collecting £1.5 million to help finance a new renal ward.

On 30 October 2009, the total was smashed with a massive £1,507,160.46 raised and it was all systems go.

Celebrations are now taking place to mark the fact that the unit is open.

In October 2009, it was announced the £1.5 million target had been passed

A big thank you

Thousands of people from across the West Midlands took part in the appeal, including 12,500 school children who raised money by sitting still for part of a lesson or break.

BBC WM and the Children's Hospital would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who raised money and was part of the biggest ever campaign in the station's history.

Now the hard work and generosity has all paid off and the young patients, some of whom have to sit still for dialysis for four hours a day, three times a week, have moved from the cramped ground floor of a 1960's annex.

The new unit

Phil Upton and Joanne Malin will be broadcasting from the hospital

Their purpose- built new unit is colourful, bright with big windows and improved play areas and now, thanks to the generosity of thousands of people, it's open.

BBC WM presenters Phil Upton and Joanne Malin will be broadcasting from the new unit on Wednesday, 24 February and the celebrations will continue on shows throughout the day on 95.6 FM.