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Title: Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice Subtitle: Planning Permission Granted Author: Bluebell Wood  ID & Publication: 20040811007 ~ The-Villager.co.uk  Area: Doncaster  Subject: Charity

Build Build Build!!!

Jack Waller (4) just can’t wait to get started! - Grown ups simply can’t move quick enough for Jack so he will be taking his very own tractor to the new Bluebell Wood site on Monday and starting the build himself!!

The Trustees of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice are delighted to announce that planning permission has been granted for the proposed Hospice site at Dinnington.

Over 300 children and their families from across South Yorkshire and the North Midlands will be celebrating the news. Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, the hospice will provide emotional and practical support for children and their families both in the hospice and at home.

Chair of Trustees Jill Oldridge, is delighted with today’s decision. On behalf of the Trustees, supporters, the children and families that will use Bluebell Wood she says 'This is the moment we have all been waiting for. The next few months will be extremely busy taking the steps required to commence building. For the 300 families and their children waiting to use Bluebell Wood this can not come soon enough. The hospice will offer respite care for the families giving them the opportunity to recharge their batteries away from the pressures of everyday life. For the children requiring terminal care it will enable families to be supported by the hospice staff and provide them with precious time together giving them memories they can cherish. On behalf of the Trustees, the children and families waiting to use Bluebell Wood my thanks go to everyone who has supported the appeal in so many ways and I know we can rely on their continuing support during the completion of the building and beyond when it is open.'

Gillian Scotford from Dronfield was elated about today’s decision. Born with a major heart defect, her son, Thomas, now 8, has severe brain damage requiring 24 hour care. Gillian and her family have to watch out for Thomas every hour of every day, and eventually, despite the distance, they decided to take up the offer of respite care at the Rainbows hospice in Loughborough. Despite anxieties at his first visit, they were soon reassured that the hospice could offer everything that Thomas needed: medical attention, one-to-one support; therapy; and a whole range of activities and equipment to stimulate Thomas. Gillian said; 'The hospice at Loughborough has provided everything that we could hope for for Thomas. However, it is a great distance to travel, along with his two brothers, and the hospice at Dinnington will be so much easier for us to access. We will be eagerly watching the progress and look forward to the day when Thomas can come along to Bluebell Wood'

Sharon Needham, Fundraising Director for Bluebell Wood said 'We could never have reached this exciting day without the support of so many people helping in so many ways. From coffee mornings to sky dives; sale of merchandise to grand raffles; sponsored walks to special forces weekends – the fundraising has happened in so many different ways and everyone who has been involved should be really proud of their contribution.'

Mark & Bev Hyland, parents of Jack, 8, who has cerebral palsy, impaired vision, is a quadriplegic, and suffers countless epileptic fits each day are delighted. 'We are so pleased that a site has been found for the hospice and look forward to the day when Jack will be able to enjoy the facilities there. We were disappointed with the delay when the plans were rejected for the site at Doncaster earlier this year, but we will be more than happy to travel the 20 minutes to Dinnington to make use of the hospice. There will be so much there to stimulate Jack, and that is the most important thing for us.'

Now that planning permission has been received the trustees can begin the next stage which is to appoint a quantity surveyor who will put together a bill of quantity. Once this is completed the contract to build the hospice will be put out to tender and the trustees will appoint a contractor. Once a contractor is appointed building can commence. It is anticipated that building will have started within this year and the Hospice will be ready for the first children and their families towards the end of 2005.

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