Work begins on Children's Hospice
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THE DREAM of building a St Austell children's hospice became a reality on Tuesday when work got underway to construct the £5m facility.
Heavy machinery rolled on to the Higher Porthpean site to commence digging the foundations for the Children's Hospice South West's Little Harbour project.
Staff, volunteers and families who use the charity's services gathered to watch the landmark occasion. Guest of honour was Finn Way, the younger brother of the late Joe Way, who has inspired a fundraising effort toward the hospice.
It was an emotional time for Eddie Farwell, co-founder and chief executive, who has dreamed of bringing a children's hospice to the county for many years.
He said: "This is a celebration day where the dream starts to become a reality. Just after two and a half years of fundraising we are now in a position to build the hospice, which will provide a specialist service for life limited children nearer to their homes.
"This will mean that no family has to travel for more than 90 minutes to use our hospice facility.
"Families want this service and are desperate for it to come. It will not only provide world class care. The facility will be a place for mum and dad to crash out and relax in such a beautiful setting. There will also be specialist services for bothers and sisters.
"The project would not be possible without the incredible response we have received from the people of Cornwall and St Austell, which has been absolutely overwhelming.
"This is our third appeal and we have not known anything like this. People have taken it to their hearts
"It is quite something to think that in just over a year's time we should be standing here lookingnot just at the site for Little Harbour but at Little Harbour itself.
"This will only be possible with the continued support of the people of Cornwall and Plymouth. I am confident we can achieve this."
So far £3.5m of the target £5m has been raised toward Little Harbour to date. If the remainder is collected the facility is due to open its doors to the first families by winter 2011.
Midas Construction has been chosen to build the hospice. The company aims to raise £50,000 toward the appeal. The workforce will be taking on various stunts to collect money.
Steve Hindley, chairman of the Midas Group, was present as work got underway. He said: "The guys will be getting involved in all sorts of projects from throwing themselves off buildings to parachute jumps. This is a wonderful community project to be involved with. It's a fantastic charity. At Midas, we recognise the significance of this project, the benefits it will have to very many families and the positive impact it will have on the local community."
Little Harbour will be Children's Hospice South West's third hospice. The others are Little Bridge House near Barnstaple and Charlton Farm near Bristol.
Matt Way, Joe's father, explained why Little Harbour will be so important to Cornish families with life limited children. He said: "We booked to visit Little Bridge House four times but had to cancel on each occasion because he was too ill to travel.
"The support the hospice offers is vital, so to have one just up the road would have helped immensely. It would really have given us a chance to recharge, which is something you don't necessarily realise you need at the time."
To make a donation telephone Children's Hospice South West on 01872 261166 or visit www.chsw.org.uk
