A BALLOON for every child in Herefordshire who will die before their 19th birthday has been released at the launch a £4million fundraising appeal to build a children's hospice for the three counties.

Families gathered in High Town, Hereford, last Tuesday for the major event that sent up a signal of hope for life-limited sons and daughters across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire and began an appeal to pay for the region's first Acorns Childrens Hospice.

The building will take pride of place in a donkey paddock on the outskirts of Worcester city centre in 2004 where, for the first time, seriously ill children can enjoy respite care near home in a happy and stimulating environment.

Between 23 and 43 children in Herefordshire are currently in need of the lifeline that provides care as well as practical and emotional support for parents, siblings and the rest of the family. Many of the families have spent months or even years caring for a child they know will eventually die.

Youngsters that use the new hospice in Worcester's Bath Road will be aged from birth to 19-years-old and will all have life limiting conditions.

The money will pay for a 10 bedded, fully equipped 'home from home' situated in one acre of landscaped grounds, formerly the home of donkeys Sally and Dotty, with views across countryside to the Malvern Hills.

Children will find their stay full of laughter and love and their families can stop too. Each of the brightly coloured bedrooms will open out on to gardens. There will be a play room and activity room where younger children can be entertained, a multi sensory room where lights and sound entertain and calm children and their parents and a hydrotherapy pool that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Special gardens have been designed for wheelchair users to roam and play in while a small memorial garden will provide peace and quiet for bereaved relatives.

Two flats are planned for families to stay on a first visit, for the weekend or when their child needs terminal care and there will be special bedrooms where parents can spend time with their child after death.

Crucial stage

The launch of the Three Counties Appeal is a crucial stage in the project. Campaigners are encouraging as many people as possible to dig deep in their pockets for cash so work can begin on the building by the end of the year.

Chief executive of the project, John Overton, said: " I worry because for every period of delay children die without our help. Every fortnight one child we could have helped will die. This is one of the most important developments for life limited children we will see in our life times."

Acorns project manager, Mike Cartledge, said the new hospice would also substantially reduce journey times and extend the level of care that can be offered.

It will be perfectly located on the edge of Worcester city centre, just five minutes from the M5, providing easy access from across all the three counties.

"We now have to raise £4 million to build and equip the new hospice. We know this scheme has already touched the hearts of local people and with their continuing support, our dreams of improved care for life-limited children and their families will soon be realised. We hope schools, community groups, businesses and individuals will all sign up to the Three Counties Appeal and help us reach our fundraising target," said Mr Cartledge.

Friends of Acorns groups are being set up in Herefordshire and the other two counties by the charity's community fundraising co-ordinator Fran Winterbourn, to raise cash.

To reach the big £4million target and eventually find the £1million a year needed to run the hospice, she is appealing for everyone to join in fundraising activities or make donations.

"We've lots of great fundraising events for people to enjoy over the next 12 months. Everything from harness racing to golf days, jazz concerts to male voice choirs, a big family walk in Worcestershire to an amazing trek along the Yangtze River in China," said Fran. She is interested in hearing from anyone who would like to join their local Friends of Acorns group or set one up where they live.

For the project to go ahead 50 per cent of the £4million appeal target needs to be in the bank by this autumn.

Anyone who would like to find out more about fundraising for Acorns, or who is interested in setting up a Friends of Acorns group, can contact Fran Winterbourn on 01905 767676.