BLUEBELL Wood children's hospice in South Yorkshire will accept its first patients tomorrow following nine years of fundraising to collect the £4m needed for the building.
But the huge money-spinning efforts of volunteers are just the start of the financial commitment for the charity behind the hospice, the only one of its type between Leicestershire and Wetherby, which will absorb a further £2.4m a year in operating c
osts.
Although the Government will contribute towards that, the state's input will only be £155,000 per year, leaving the organisation under constant pressure to raise money.
The hospice, between Dinnington and North Anston in Rotherham, has eight bedrooms and the first two will become operational tomorrow when children move in for respite care.
The remaining six will be opened in phases to allow staff the opportunity to become familiarised with the new building and ensure all the services are operating correctly.
Initially it is expected that Bluebell Wood will be support around 200 families from the region every year.
Children who need the services will be offered two weeks per year at the hospice, with a further three hours care each week in their own home.
The charity will also offer additional services such as counselling.
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