EXCITING times lie ahead as a new children’s hospice in Suffolk begins to take shape.

Foundations for the �3million centre off Bixley Road in Ipswich have been laid and now walls are rising from the ground, as the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Treehouse Appeal begins to gather steam.

The layout of rooms and corridors is now visible as builders push ahead with the project.

Graham Butland, EACH chief executive, said: “We are well on the way now.

“It is very exciting to see the hospice become a reality you can see and feel.”

The centre’s hydrotherapy pool is taking shape while walls and floors are growing by the day.

“If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine everything is there,” Mr Butland said.

“We have spent so long poring over plans and all we had was an architect’s impression.

“But now you can see it all taking shape and it is going very smoothly.”

The appeal total has topped �400,000 in just 10 weeks thanks to donations and pledges from supporters and East Anglian Daily Times readers.

Fundraisers are determined to reach their �3m target to get the six-bedroom facility built by Christmas.

Visitors to the Suffolk Show have also boosted the cause by queuing up at the charity’s stall to get their hands on a specially-designed book bag by designer Cath Kidston.

Melanie Chew, fundraising director for EACH, said: “It has been incredibly busy.

“It is very exciting to be here. We are delighted so many people have found our stand.”