THE DREAMDROPS appeal to help equip and fit the new children s unit - named Holly - at Hinchingbrooke Hospital has received overwhelming support from the community. And yesterday, the vision of the fundraisers started to take shape as the key for the new

THE DREAMDROPS appeal to help equip and fit the new children's unit - named Holly - at Hinchingbrooke Hospital has received overwhelming support from the community.

And yesterday, the vision of the fundraisers started to take shape as the key for the new unit was handed over.

The new £7million, purpose-built, two-storey children's unit is due to open in September and replace the existing Holly Ward for children.

It will provide 25 beds and include a ward, which has been designed with the help of a young patient, teenager Molly Smith. Molly said: "It has been an honour to be involved in designing the new ward, especially after I have spent so much time in Holly Ward myself. I cannot wait to see the doors open after the long time planning and building."

There is also a purpose-built outpatients' facility, an inpatient replacement for the existing children's ward, and a day case unit, which will include a paediatric assessment unit.

Maureen Donnelly, chairman of Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust, received the key from Jim Reece, project manager for developers Laing O'Rourke to mark the end of the building work and the beginning of activities to furnish the interior.

A registered charity called Huntingdonshire Children's Charity has been set up to co-ordinate the Dreamdrops Appeal with the slogan: Helping Holly Care for Children.

Funds raised will decorate the unit, provide equipment, provide a sensory stimulation area, provide beds for parents of children staying at the hospital, including babies, provide television and computers, play facilities for brothers and sisters of babies at the unit, a sensory garden and outside play equipment.

n Our picture shows Maureen Donnelly, chairman of Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust receiving the key from Jim Reece, project manager from Laing O'Rourke.

In the background are, from left, Clive Webb, construction manager, Mark Millar, Hinchingbrooke chief executive, Sarah Hughes, Holly Ward's modern matron, Lady Alison de Ramsey, chairman of the fundraising committee, and the PCT's medical director, Dr Jill Challener.

Picture: HELEN DRAKE 4024