The only North-East Children's Hospice, the Butterwick, is five years old this week. Chris Webber talked to head nurse Gail Humphry about the work done there.

GAIL Humphrey conducts a tour of Butterwick Children's Hospice, in Stockton, with a quiet and simple pride.

Smiling, she shows off the parents' lounge, the swimming pool, the multi-sensory room, a specially designed garden and a games room beloved by loud teenagers.

Then she comes to the Sunflower Room. A simple bedroom, it is a peaceful place for parents to grieve when their child dies.

"The majority of families naturally choose to be at home when a child is nearing the end of his or her life," said Gail.

"But sometimes it doesn't work out that way and, in any case, every family is different. The choice is theirs. It is sad beyond words when one of our children dies, but you have to be professional.

"It's about the family, the parents and brothers and sisters, not you. You can show your grief but, in the end, you are there to help the family.

"You can work on this and that medically, but it is the little things parents remember.

"It will be a cup of tea or a hug or looking after their other children for a while. It's the little things like that which make a difference."

And it is the little things which Gail and her highly dedicated team concentrate on in the happier part of their job periodically caring for 70 children from 50 families across the North-East.

Every detail of the children's lives and likes are discussed with their parents for the good of the children, so the parents can have confidence their child will be well looked after.

The parents and children have many choices - providing choice is a concept often discussed by Gail - about the care received. After all, this is a place where having fun is taken very seriously and a place, lying next to Stockton's hospital, with serious back-up care.

It is, Gail quietly explains, a happy place, a home from home.

Gail, who has no children of her own, makes clear that no detail is too small in the pursuit of fun. For example the garden, paid for by GMTV, has an undulating surface so children in wheelchairs can enjoy the sensation similar to bobbing along with waves, specially-tailored teenage nights are provided to keep the youngsters, who can be aged up to 19, entertained, toys can be found everywhere.

"This isn't some cold hospital ward," said Gail, a former Macmillan nurse who has held her current post for 18 months, "but a place for children."

As she speaks children argue good-naturedly and members of staff and volunteers share jokes. Gail laughs. You sense she feels right at home.