THERE was a party atmosphere as supporters turned out in force to raise a glass and toast the success of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice’s (EACH) Treehouse Appeal.

Thanks to the generosity of fundraisers the charity has raised an impressive �3million for a new facility in St Augustine’s Gardens in Ipswich.

Supporters flocked to the centre yesterday to celebrate reaching the target in less than a year.

They raised a glass of champagne or orange juice to toast the generosity of the people of Suffolk and north Essex who have taken the cause – supported by the EADT – to heart.

The fundraising total has grown steadily throughout the appeal, and the charity managed to hit its target this week thanks to a number of large donations, including a cheque for �100,000 from Suffolk Freemasons.

Provincial grandmaster Barry Ross said: “We were delighted to get involved in something which is so needed. EACH have done a spectacular job in creating a state-of-the-art building.

“We have 3,000 members in Suffolk and since January last year they have been committed to running events to raise as much money as possible.”

Steve Flory was one of 14 people who raised �62,000 when they climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

“The people of Suffolk have really embraced the campaign,” he said. “It’s absolutely fantastic. To know the money we were raising was going to such a great cause really kept us going throughout the climb.”

Roger Gilles, from architects Barefoot and Gilles, who designed the new centre, said: “We are absolutely delighted. It was quite an ambitious concept but we think it has been very successful.

“The campaign really seems to have caught the imagination and people have responded magnificently.”

Henry Catchpole, who sat on the Treehouse fundraising committee, said he was thrilled with the response to the campaign.

“Especially in this current economic climate people were incredibly generous,” he said. “We can’t thank them enough.”

EACH patron, young persons author Anthony Horowitz, who has a home in Orford, said: “It is really amazing that the total has been raised so quickly. It is a real local achievement.

“It confirms what I’ve always known, that the people of Suffolk and north Essex are the nicest and most generous in Great Britain.”

The new hospice it set to open in May and will offer previously unavailable services for children and their families in Suffolk and north Essex, including hydrotherapy and separate overnight accommodation.