A HOSPICE for children and babies on Teesside is to have a new, quiet garden and woodland area after receiving a £5,000 grant.

The garden will be designed as an area where parents and their children can spend some quiet, reflective time.

Zoe's Place, in Normanby, near Middlesbrough, is a hospice for babies and children aged up to four, who are suffering from life-limiting illnesses.

The grant has come from Barclays Bank community programme and from Barclays Bank staff in the Stockton area.

Bank staff held a fun fundraising day in aid of Zoe's Place, which they have chosen as their charity of the year.

The team of 30 employees carried out the fundraising as part of the Barclays employee volunteering programme.

Barclays then matched the £147 raised under its match-funding scheme, giving a further boost to the hospice funds of £384.

The employees held raffles, a guess the baby competition and sold cakes. The funds will enable the charity to continue palliative care.

Stella McRae, community manager for the North-East, said: "At Barclays we are committed to communities and we are delighted to support Zoe's Place not only through a direct donation but also with the practical help of local employees.

"This is a lovely example of a community partnership and Barclays staff working closely with the local community to achieve something which we hope will make a real and lasting difference."

Mark Guidery, from Zoe's Place, said: "This is fantastic news, please pass on my thanks to everyone for choosing Zoe's Place as their charity for the year."