Staff of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and families supported by them had an early glimpse inside Norfolk’s new children’s hospice, the nook.

The final tile was recently placed on the roof and, as is something of a tradition in construction, locally-brewed beer from Greene King was poured on the roof by EACH Chair of Trustees John Pickering, to signal the building is watertight.

The ceremony took place on Thursday 29th November before guests went inside to see what progress has been made since building started a year ago. Parents of children who receive care from EACH signed steelwork as part of the tour.

Graham Butland, EACH Chief Executive, said: “This is, clearly, a very exciting moment for the staff of EACH, the children and families we support, and the hundreds of individuals, businesses, trusts and community organisations who have contributed so generously to the nook appeal.

“We’re keen to stress, however, that this is far from job done. The appeal total currently stands at £8.4 million, meaning we have £1.6 million of the £10 million public appeal to raise by summer 2019, when we hope the nook can become operational.”

The changing and more complex needs of the children and young people EACH cares for, and the increased demand for its service, means the charity has outgrown its current Norfolk hospice in Quidenham.

The nook will be a 21st century hospice to provide 21st century care, spread across a single floor, with more areas for clinical care, a hydrotherapy pool, state-of-the-art sensory room, larger and better equipped en-suite bedrooms, dedicated therapy rooms and much more.

The vastly improved facilities will mean EACH can reach even more than the 129 children and 160 family members it currently does from Quidenham, that supports an average of 45% more young people than each of the charity’s other two hospices in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.

Mario Rackham, Director and General Manager of R G Carter, the company leading on construction of the nook, said: “This ceremony marks an important milestone, allowing us to thank everyone involved and welcome key stakeholders to enjoy a first look at the building as it takes shape. We look forward to completing this much-needed facility to provide local families with the very best services and support across the region.”

The nook appeal was launched back in November 2014 in the presence of EACH Royal Patron HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. There are so many ways to show your support:

• Complete the special donation coupon in the Eastern Daily Press, media partner for the nook appeal
• Sponsor a specially engraved brick for the hospice’s garden at each.org.uk/pave-the-path
• Shop for the nook – help fund a practical item for when the hospice is open at each.org.uk/shop-for-the-nook
• Buy a £15 EACH Butterfly Bauble from intu Chapelfield’s information desk or at each.org.uk/bauble

For more information about the nook appeal visit www.each.org.uk/the-nook and for more ideas on how

to raise money call EACH’s Norfolk fundraising team on 01953 666767.
Pictured above, Carly Weeks, mum of Ava signing steelwork inside the nook.