HOPES of creating a new treatment and waiting area especially for young hospital patients were given a big boost today – with a £1,000 grant to kick-start the fundraising.

HOPES of creating a new treatment and waiting area especially for young hospital patients were given a big boost today - with a £1,000 grant to kick-start the fundraising.

The money was given to the Evening Star's Helping Our Children Christmas appeal by the Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative Society's charity dividend fund.

Co-op president Jean Lockie presented a cheque for the sum to Suffolk Coastal Primary Care Trust chairman Tony Robinson, who accepted it on behalf of the appeal.

After seeing the area where the new treatment area will be created at Felixstowe General Hospital and looking over the plans, she said she was very excited at the project.

"The society is thrilled to be supporting the appeal - it is a wonderful cause and anything which can make attending hospital easier for children has to be a good thing. Having seen the plans, I think it will be excellent when the work is done," she said.

Mr Robinson thanked the Co-op on behalf of the appeal for the cheque and the support it is giving through its special 977 dividend number. He also paid tribute to the Evening Star for launching the appeal in support of the hospital, and medical staff for their support.

"The start the appeal has made is very encouraging - this will be a very special project for the Felixstowe General and part of our development and improvement of the site," he said.

"It is very important that children are able to wait and be treated in a separate area which is both safe and comfortable for them and suits their needs."

The aim of the appeal to raise up to £18,000 to help create the child-friendly area within the minor injuries unit (MIU) at the hospital in Constable Road.

Work will involve removing toilets to create a treatment room able to take a bed, sink and equipment, and provide a waiting area with murals, toys and furniture for children.

The MIU is used by more than 15,000 people every year - and many of them from outside the immediate Felixstowe area.

Families in Martlesham, Woodbridge and surrounding villages use the unit, and it is also available for the tens of thousands of daytrippers and holidaymakers visiting the resort each year.