A POPULAR appeal to build a new children’s hospice in Suffolk has reached �1.5 million.

Delighted fundraisers at East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) are thrilled to have hit the half-way mark in their bid to build a new �3 million specialist centre for life-threatened youngsters.

Thanks to coffee mornings, cake sales, epic challenges and donations, the Treehouse Appeal to complete a new, six-bedroomed centre to care for children in Suffolk and north Essex is racing ahead.

“It is terrific news we have reached the half-way mark so quickly,” said Melanie Chew, director of fundraising at EACH. “We have been blown away by the warmth of feeling from people across Suffolk and north Essex.

“We have reached this point much quicker than we had hoped but there’s still a long way to go.”

Launched back in March, the ambitious project to complete the specially-designed facility off Bixley Road in Ipswich has gone from strength to strength.

Supporters young and old have dug deep to pour pounds and pennies into the charity’s pot.

The walls, floors and roof of the impressive new facility are taking shape but Melanie warned there was still a mountain to climb.

“It has made me very proud to live in Suffolk because so many people have got involved in this,” she said. “But there is still a long way to go on the building itself.

“Now we have to find the second �1.5 million which is always harder than the first.”

But with Christmas around the corner, Melanie said she hoped supporters across the region would spare a thought for the Treehouse Appeal in their festive preparations.

A Lads and Dads Walk around Ipswich town centre has already been planned for Sunday, October 24, giving men the chance to do their bit for the vital cause.

To sign up for the walk or make a donation, visit wwww.each.org.uk/treehouse