Countess of Wessex officially opens hospice for children

The Countess of Wessex arrived at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in North Anston, Rotherham at lunchtime and met young patients and their families.

She was also there to officially open the hospice, which actually opened its doors to children with serious medical conditions on September 19, 2008.

A hospice spokesman said patients, their families and all the staff had been looking forward to the visit for weeks and were delighted to welcome the Countess.

She added: “Each year Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice needs to raise £2.5m to deliver our services and we receive no statutory Government funding.

“Currently the Bluebell Wood care team provide support to nearly 100 children and their families in South Yorkshire, north Derbyshire, north Nottinghamshire and North Lincolnshire.

“This number is growing with new referrals every week.

“After working with families in the community for two years, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice proudly opened its doors to children with life limiting and life threatening conditions in 2008.

“The hospice allows us to offer 24-hour care to children on a one to one basis. It also allows families to stay with us to have a break, often the first one they may have had in years.”

Before leaving the hospice in Cramfit Road, the Countess signed the visitors book and posed for photographs with more patients and well-wishers.

Earlier in the day the Countess had visited the United Multi Cultural Centre, in Carlisle Street, Rotherham, and Sandvik Medical Solutions, in Beighton, near Rotherham.

After the hospice visit she travelled to nearby Dinnington, to officially open the new Matrix Business Centre, on Nobel Way, which has been built on the site of the old Dinnington colliery.

The £3.4m centre, which has was developed by Rotherham Council’s investment and development office, has also been open since 2008.

It provides 41 office and workshop facilities and occupiers include Castus web design and data analysts Applied Cytometry.