Monday the 16th July 2007 saw us celebrate the handing over of the keys from Admiral Construction.

The Hospice will provide care for over 200 children and families suffering from life limiting and life threatening conditions, who are not receiving the support and care that they need.

Our Hospice has 8 children's rooms and 7 family rooms and will provide specialist care from sensory, music and hydrotherapy. There will also be some fun activity areas such as the messy play, soft play and games rooms.

We have been offering day care provision from June 2008 and will be opening 2 bedrooms to provide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week respite and palliative care on the 19th September 2008.

We will continue to provide our hospice at home service where our care team go into children's homes to provide one to one care or appropriate support.

Our charity came into being following the death of a young boy, Richard Cooper. Richard was diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease, Ataxia Telangiectasia, the effects of which quickly led to increasing disability. In October 1995 Richard also developed cancer and in the following 17 months endured frequent hospital admissions and intensive treatments with unpleasant side effects.

During the final weeks of his life both Richard and his Mum wanted to avoid going back into the stressful hospital environment. Remaining in their home they faced long exhausting and anxious days and nights. They were unable to get adequate professional support or practical help, at the time when they most needed it.

Through their own strength, determination and courage they achieved their wishes and on 13th March 1997, aged just 11, Richard died peacefully at home.

In late 1998 the charity 'The Richard Foundation was established. A group of professionals recognised the need for a dedicated children's hospice to serve the NHS North Trent Region, including South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, North Derbyshire and parts of Lincolnshire.

Research carried out by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health estimates that there are 10.6 million children in England under the age of 17, of which approximatley 1060 are likely to be so ill they will die within one year. 10,600 will be suffering from a life-limiting condition; half will need active palliative care at any one time. Within Bluebell Wood's region there are 200 such children and their families.

We unfortunatley couldn't name the hospice after Richard Cooper, as a Richard House Children's Hospice already exists in London.

In dedication to Richard 'The Richard Foundation' will always be our registered charity name and through the charity we have built a children's hospice and continue to grow and deliver our service.