The region's first baby hospice is finally set to achieve its dream of providing round-the-clock care for sick youngsters. Stuart Mackintosh reports on a new dawn for Zoe's place.

Stepping through the doors of the first baby hospice to be established in the North-East, it becomes instantly apparent that this is not a place to be associated with despair.

In the reception area of the former convent, in Normanby, on Teesside, striking images of children's favourites Mickey Mouse, Pinocchio and Peter Pan are everywhere.

Further inside, cheery shades of orange, yellow and red adorn the walls, while giant cuddly toys are dotted around the impressive old building.

In the heart of the hospice - a colourful play area with mountains of toys to satisfy the most energetic of children - three-year-old James shouts excitedly as he plays with the nurses.

In the various rooms connected to the main area, even the pull cords to alert staff sport a picture of Tigger or Winnie the Pooh.

It all serves to reinforce the message that staff are keen to get across - Zoe's Place is somewhere to celebrate the lives of children.

"The last thing we wanted was for the place to look like a hospital, all doom and gloom," said general manager Mark Guidery.

The centre opened in the former Crossbeck House Convent in February after earlier securing funding from the National Lottery.

It cares for children up to the age of five with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses, providing them and their parents with a home from home.

And now, after months of preparation, the hospice is ready to operate 24 hours a day.

Mr Guidery said: "When we first opened we decided it would be a day unit to begin with, from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

"Then, a couple of months ago, we went seven days a week. Now, it is going to be 24 hours a day and we're delighted about that. It is going to make such a big difference to so many mums and dads."

Four children can be catered for at any one time by a 17-strong team of dedicated nurses.

Upstairs, rooms and bathroom facilities have been installed for parents needing to stay the night.

A chapel, more than 70 years old, and bereavement room offer families and hospice staff time for quiet contemplation.

Work on the hospice is not yet over. There are plans to enhance the glorious surroundings, possibly with new play areas.

"It's taken us so long to get to where we are now, because there has been an awful lot of work to do and struggles with getting the funding," said Mr Guidery.

"There is a perception that we are a lot bigger than we actually are, but we are still running it on a shoestring.

"If it wasn't for the volunteers helping us out, we'd struggle. From day one, people have been extraordinary to us.

"We have got another year and a half of the Lottery funding to come and we can only use that mainly for nurses' salaries.

"That's given us a block of security, but it won't last forever, so the fundraisers are so important to us."

The hospice takes children from Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire and offers palliative and respite care.

l To make a donation, organise a fundraising event for the hospice or obtain more information on the services it provides, telephone (01642) 457985.