MORE than a thousand children with life-threatening illnesses will benefit from a desperately-needed children's hospice in the North-East, fundraisers said yesterday.

Broadcasting personality Kathy Secker, who is spearheading a campaign to raise £10m for the facility in the Sunderland area, said at its launch yesterday: "Research has revealed a desperate need for this facility.

"At present, there are only six beds available - four in Teesside and two in Cumbria.

"St Oswald's, in Newcastle, will provide a further eight beds when it comes on stream in January 2003.

"But we still have families from the region who travel to Scotland for hospice care."

The facility will welcome whole families for respite care, giving them a break together or time for themselves in a comfortable home-like atmosphere.

The campaign is being backed by Dr Geoff Lawson, clinical director of children's services at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

He said: "There is a huge need which is not being met.

"Sometimes children have to come into hospital for short-term respite care. But we are geared up to make ill people better, not to support the whole family at a time of need."

He added: "I see the burden of care that is left with parents.

"Often, when they have a complex needs child, the brothers and sisters tend to take a back seat when it comes to normal things children enjoy, like being taken to the pictures or a football game.

"And parents should be able to have a break, just like everyone as well."

Deborah Jones, who has joined the board of directors of the campaign, described her own personal pain, and the obstacles faced when her two-year-old daughter Grace was found to have an undiagnosed condition.

She said: "When Grace was younger she used to wake on the half hour, night after night, for months. I used to dread it, knowing that when I fell into a deep sleep I would be woken up.

"We were lucky to have my mother to help us. But there are a lot of people who do not have the support of parents and who never get respite."

She added: "For parents who may be protective and not want to leave their child for one or two nights, they will be able to stay as a family with the added support of the hospice."

Anyone who would like to offer voluntary help can contact Kathy on 0191-213 6155