A NORTH-EAST children’s hospice celebrated a milestone at the weekend – 20 years after it was opened with the generous support of readers of The Northern Echo.

The paper launched an appeal to build the region’s first children’s hospice in response to the death of Princess Diana.

At the time, work had been started to add a children’s wing to the Butterwick Hospice at Stockton but it couldn’t be completed due to a lack of funds. The Northern Echo’s appeal galvanised support and led to the opening of the children’s hospice by Take That star Gary Barlow.

At the weekend, a special 20th birthday party was held at The Synthonia Suites, in Billingham, with VIP guests made up of families whose lives have been touched by the children’s hospice over the years.

Jo Wallis, the Butterwick’s head of marketing and fundraising, said: “The party was for the children, and their families, who have been part of the children’s hospice over the past two decades. If it hadn’t been for the generosity of the readers of The Northern Echo 20 years ago, we may not be celebrating this milestone, but the need for that support hasn’t gone away. Providing round-the-clock care for children and their families is costly so every pound donated is hugely appreciated.”

The 20th anniversary also coincides with a £50,000 donation of specialist technology from national children’s charity Lifelites.

The technology helps children do they things they never thought possible, such as play games with friends, be creative with art and music, and communicate with their families.

One of the pieces of technology the hospice received is an Eyegaze, which allows those with limited mobility to control a computer using just their eyes.

 

The charity also donated a Magic Carpet – a portable box which projects an image allowing children to escape the confines of their condition and play many games or animations, such as football or splashing in the sea.

The charity also donated other specially adapted equipment, including iPads and touchscreen computers with suitable apps, games and communication software, cameras to record memories, and video games consoles.

Debbie Jones, chief executive of Butterwick Hospice Care, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Lifelites and all their supporters for this wonderful package of equipment. Our children, carers and families will all benefit enormously from having access to such an incredible range of technology which is targeted specifically to meet their particular needs.”

Simone Enefer-Doy, chief executive of Lifelites, added: “We are delighted to be able to provide this magical technology for the children and young people at Butterwick House. This technology will help them escape the confines of their conditions to do things they never dreamed of, for as long as it is possible.”