Today is the day building work starts on a new £10m children's hospice for Norfolk.
Following its launch three years ago by the Duchess of Cambridge, the East Anglia's Children's Hospice's (EACH) nook appeal has hit £7m.
The first cutting of the turf will take place today at the five-acre Framingham Earl site for the specialist building.
When finished, the new seven-bedroom nook hospice will replace the EACH Quidenham hospice, which opened in 1991.
EACH chief executive Graham Butland said: 'As anyone who has had a hand in helping us to this point knows, the changing and more complex needs of the children and young people we care for and the increased demand for our service means we've outgrown our current Norfolk hospice in Quidenham.
'The nook will be a 21st century hospice to provide 21st century care and we're absolutely thrilled to be getting the building under way. Let's not forget, though, that we still have to raise £3m before the nook is completed.'
Fundraising permitting, EACH hopes the project will be completed by spring 2019.
The nook will be spread across a single floor, have more areas for clinical care, a hydrotherapy pool, a state-of-the-art sensory room, larger and better-equipped en-suite bedrooms, dedicated therapy rooms and much more.
It is hoped the vastly-improved facilities will mean EACH can reach even more than the 128 children and 219 family members it currently does from Quidenham.
That site supports 50pc more young people compared to the charity's other two hospices in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.
Hannah Bloom, capital appeal project lead for the nook, said: 'Our current hospice in Quidenham is old, with limited access given its rural location, and has no scope for expansion. The nook will offer services that are currently either unavailable or extremely limited, and being just south of Norwich it will have greatly improved transport links.
'It's extremely exciting for everyone involved to see the foundations being laid – although we do still have to raise £3m. We won't be able to do that without the continued support of everyone in Norfolk and hopefully seeing the building in progress will spur on our supporters.'
For more information visit www.each.org.uk/the-nookMajor nook appeal fundraisers
Musical extravaganzas have helped boost the ambitious £10m nook appeal.
In 2016 Suffolk-born singer
Ed Sheeran, an EACH ambassador, performed in London's Natural History Museum for a gala dinner put on by the charity.
The 40-minute gig, within the Hintze Hall in front of 350 people, was the star's only live performance of 2016.
It raised about £350,000, including £25,000 for a signed portrait of Sheeran painted during the evening and £7,000 for a selfie with him.
Another major music event in aid of the appeal took place in London's West End at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, a year later.
The musical 42nd Street premiered in April 2017 and ran until October 14.
The opening night was attended by the
Duchess of Cambridge, Royal Patron of
EACH.
Executive producer of 42nd Street, Dr Johnny Hon, became a supporter and donor to EACH in 2016 after meeting the Royal patron.
How to support the nook appeal
From buying a Christmas decoration to a virtual brick - there are many ways to support the nook appeal.
?The nook friends group - The volunteer fundraising group wants people to save loose change in collection boxes this winter. Contact Judith Sykes on 01508 494873 or email judyannsykes@btinternet.com.
?Buy a brick - People can buy a brick for £20, £100, £500 or £1,000 in memory of a loved one for a virtual wall. Visit www.each.org.uk/buyabrick ?My £10 challenge - People can give up something that will save £10. Participants need to photograph themselves showing how they saved the money, sharing it on social media via #My10pound and donating via www.each.org.uk or by texting NOOK10 £10 to 70070.
?EACH Butterfly baubles - Intu Chapelfield in Norwich is selling 2,017 baubles for £30 or £35.
?To help with any form of fundraising call 01953 666767 or email norfolk@each.org.uk.
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