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Last Updated: Monday, 20 December, 2004, 14:48 GMT
Hospice plans first Christmas
Artist's impression of Ty Gobaith
Ty Gobaith costs £700,000 per annum to run
Staff at a north Wales children's hospice are getting ready for their first Christmas at their £2m centre.

Ty Gobaith opened near Conwy in the summer and is the first children's hospice in the region.

The four-bed unit will allow terminally-ill children and their families to get respite care closer to home, saving them the journey to Hope House in Oswestry, Shropshire.

It is estimated it will then cost about £700,000 a year to run Ty Gobaith.

Up to 95% of the funding has to be found by fund-raisers at the hospice.

Although no children will attend the centre on Christmas Day, staff will be working and will be on hand for any parents needing advice or emergency admissions.

Lindy Duncalf, a social worker at Ty Gobaith, said the children treated at the centre all have "life-limiting illnesses".

"Things are going really well here, we're building up relationships with children and their families.

"We've just done next year's bookings and we're catering for nearly 40 children," she added.

Ms Duncalf said staff have taken children to the local garden centre to see Father Christmas and his grotto.

"We've got decorations all around and we have a party leader who's been doing children's things," she added.

Ty Gobaith will welcome children back to the centre a few days after Christmas and Ms Duncalf said some are staying over the New Year.




SEE ALSO:
Artist raises £4,500 for hospice
22 Sep 03 |  North East Wales
Stars provide hope for hospice
18 May 03 |  North West Wales
Children's hospice plans unveiled
25 Nov 02 |  Wales


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