Star brings smiles to hospital unit

Theatre and comedy legend Michael Crawford chats to Bethany Salmon, seven, from Dewsbury yesterday as he opens the doors of Eckersley House, a haven for families of seriously-ill children during hospital stays.

By The Newsroom

Published 2nd Jul 2010, 10:59 BST

Updated 2nd Jul 2010, 10:59 BST

The house has been moved from St James's Hospital to converted terrace houses minutes away from wards at Leeds General Infirmary's Paediatric Centre of Excellence.

The Sick Children's Trust, which runs Eckersley House, has raised more than 1.5m in its year-long Big Move Appeal, although there is still another 200,000 needed.

Trust President Crawford described the success as "phenomenal", adding: "Looking after a very sick child is a full-time job, and we're here to help families to stay close by their sick child at all times, making a real difference to their recovery."

Picture: Simon Hulme.