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Video: Actor Michael Crawford visits Leeds
It's a lifeline for the families of sick children – and now a stage and screen star has given it the seal of approval.
Michael Crawford officially opened the new Eckersley House at Leeds General Infirmary, opposite the Clarendon Wing.
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The "home from home" for parents of youngsters in hospital has moved from St James's Hospital as all children's beds are now at the LGI.
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A 1.5m fundraising campaign by the Sick Children's Trust paid for the move and the Phantom of the Opera star was there to open the building as he is president of the charity.
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He told the YEP: "I think it's the most extraordinary building and the speed that it's been done.
"It's taken 11 months to do, which is quicker than I had my apartment done and it's finished off better as well.
"I love seeing that families are kept together when children are suffering from serious illnesses and have to go in for treatment.
"When you can come and stay in an apartment right over from where your sick child is being treated, it helps towards the healing."
The new accommodation has 22 bedrooms, more than the previous premises, and a large lounge and kitchen.
House manager Jane McHale said: "It's a tremendous peace of mind to have somewhere comfortable and welcoming to stay when your child is seriously ill."
One of Michael's biggest fans was there to meet him at the opening – seven-year-old Bethany Salmon.
Bethany had a liver transplant in January last year and her dad Tony said she watched Barnum – which the actor starred in in the West End – all the time.
Mr Salmon, from Dewsbury, said the family had been regular guests at the previous Eckersley House.
"You have got a base near the hospital and you are not living out of a suitcase," he said.
"You are close enough to the hospital if anything goes wrong in the night – they can just ring you and you can be on the ward in five minutes."
The family have shown their gratitude by raising almost 5,000 for the Sick Children's Trust .
They handed over a cheque for their latest amount, – 722 collected during an annual tour of Arriva depots for bus enthusiasts – at the opening.
* A further 200,000 is needed to complete the fundraising to move Eckersley House, and the Sick Children's Trust needs 1m a year to run its Homes from Home.
To help with fundraising, contact Vicki Smith on 0752 5424406 or email: vicki@sickchildrenstrust.org
Donations can be made via: www.sickchildrenstrust.org
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Friday 25 May 2012
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