DELIGHTED fundraisers are celebrating after the appeal for a new children’s hospice in Suffolk topped �100,000 in just two weeks.

Thanks to generous donations, the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Treehouse Appeal to build a �3million centre in Ipswich has got off to a flying start.

East Anglian Daily Times readers have bolstered the campaign, with cash and fundraising ideas flooding into the EACH office since the vital project was launched earlier this month.

In just two weeks, dreams of opening a brand new, six-bedroom hospice off Bixley Road in the town are another step closer to reality.

A mystery donor has already presented the charity with a �1,000 cheque to kick-start the appeal.

Melanie Chew, director of fundraising at EACH, said: “We are delighted with this figure and are really pleased the local community is rallying round to help us get this hospice built.

“We hope the support we have already received will continue in the coming months and allow us to reach our �3million target.

“A new children’s hospice for Suffolk and North Essex will ensure EACH is able to deliver the best possible care and support to life-threatened children and their families in our region. “

The service has outgrown its current home in a four-bedroomed bungalow in Walker Close, Ipswich.

But now the drive to build the new, state-of-the-art complex in four acres of woodland is building up a head of steam as supporters find ever more ways to raise the cash.

Beer and brass will get wallets open at an Oompah Night starring the Woodbridge Excelsior Brass Band at Deben High School on May 15.

Complete with waitress service, the evening of music and drink, staged by The Rotary Club of Felixstowe, starts at 8pm.

For more information or to book tickets priced �10 call 01394 277225.

Lucky bidders could get their hands on tickets for a group of six people to see The Full Monty at the Regent Theatre in Ipswich on Saturday, April 17.

Bids and donations can be made at the EACH fundraising office by emailing Treehouse@each.org.uk.