A Suffolk charity that supports people living with cancer, terminal illnesses and children with behavioural and learning disabilities has received a donation of tools from Ridgeons.

The equipment will help Eden-Rose Coppice to transform a neglected 3.5 acre woodland area into an end-of-life retreat and children’s educational centre.

In conjunction with Toolbank and Faithfull Tools, Ridgeons has donated over 30 products to the cause.

Jo Brooks, manager at Eden-Rose Coppice, said: “We are really excited to have started work on our new Ipswich site and can’t thank Ridgeons enough for its on-going support and donation.

“Using our Sudbury site as a blueprint, we have been busy tackling the densely overgrown, rubbish-strewn woodland to transform the site into an indoor woodland area and skills centre.

“We are continually working to develop Eden-Rose Coppice as a safe, stress-free refuse for people affected by critical illness in Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex.

“Our 3.5 acre Sudbury site was the first sanctuary of its kind in the UK and since opening has offered more than 150 people with terminal illnesses some form of solace with their families in the wood.

“We can’t wait to achieve the same level of success at our new site in Ipswich.”

The regeneration of the woodland will be completed by volunteers, including terminally ill and disabled adults and children to help them learn new skills and gain a sense of community and comradery.

The Ipswich sanctuary is due to be open to families by February 2016.

Director of Ridgeons, Gordon Ridgeon, said: “Throughout the past eight years, Ridgeons has supported Eden-Rose as the charity continues to take over areas of disused woodland from the local council and develop it to build free sanctuaries for vulnerable children and people living with terminal illnesses.

“It is really moving to see the work achieved by disabled and cancer patients, some aged only seven.

“This is a fantastic charity and we are honoured to be able to offer a helping hand wherever we can.”