Ipswich Town Chief Executive Simon Clegg visited the Ipswich Children's Hospice last week as part of the Club's policy of working closely with the hospitals and hospices in the area.

East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) provides care and support for life-threatened children and their families in their own homes, as well as at the charity's hospices based at Ipswich in Suffolk, which also serves North Essex, Quidenham in Norfolk and Milton in Cambridgeshire.

After the visit, Simon Clegg commented:
'There is no doubt that despite the cramped facilities the quality of care offered by the staff at the hospice has a profoundly positive impact on the lives of the patients and their families. We should be proud that we have such an excellent service in the local region and support their efforts to raise the necessary funds for the new project.'

EACH Chief Executive Graham Butland who accompanied Simon Clegg on the visit said:
'Ipswich Town Football Club have always been very supportive of our children's hospice in Ipswich which cares for life-threatened children across Suffolk and North Essex. It was an honour to meet Simon Clegg and have the opportunity to thank him for the club's support and show him the excellent care we are able to provide from a modest family bungalow.'

As well as being shown the facilities at the existing building, Simon Clegg was also shown plans for an exciting new scheme for the charity. The Trustees of EACH have given the go-ahead for a woodland site in the town to be prepared in readiness for a major public fundraising appeal and building project. This is a great opportunity for EACH to enhance and enlarge its vital children's hospice services in Suffolk and North Essex.

The site is a four acre woodland plot located between Felixstowe Road and Bixley Road, and further details will be announced at the public launch of the fundraising appeal on March 16.

EACH is a registered charity that relies upon public support for the majority of its required income of around £5.8 million.

For more information about EACH, including forthcoming events and how you can help raise funds, visit www.each.org.uk or call 01953 715559 or 01223 205180.