OUR appeal to raise £100,000 for Julia's House became even more important this week with news that permission has been given to convert two former council buildings in Devizes into a new children's hospice.

Money raised by Gazette readers will pay for carers that will offer respite help to families with sick children all over the county.

Julia’s House chief executive Martin Edwards was delighted Wiltshire Council has approved plans for the charity's second hospice at Browfort.

He said: "This is a green light for our hospice dream for Wiltshire to become a reality. Now we have permission to convert the buildings we can concentrate on the exciting job of creating the look and feel of the new hospice.

“The designs for Devizes will embrace the Neolithic heritage of Wiltshire but in a wonderfully child-friendly way. The hospice will have the homely atmosphere and features of Julia’s House in Corfe Mullen but because of its slightly larger size we can include some extra special additions such as a teen activity den.

“This planning news is a great start to 2016 and moves us a step closer to being able to roll out county-wide care and support for Wiltshire families.

The building will become a three bedroom hospice with day care and weekend respite.

Mr Edwards said: "There is no such service in Wiltshire, so it really is the first of its kind.

“The children who we care for spend a lot of time in hospital so we want them to come to a place where they feel they can have fun. We also offer sibling support as well as support to families that are bereaved.”

It is expected the hospice will open in 2017. But the charity is already helping families in Wiltshire by sending carers and nurses into homes so parents can have a much needed break from looking after children who often need 24-hour supervision.

Mr Edwards has also expressed his thanks to the Gazette for launching its appeal and believes it will make a huge difference to families.

He said: "It means so much to us that the Gazette & Herald is backing Julia’s House. We can only do this with a high profile and the generosity of the public so I’m extremely grateful for this breakthrough support."

Some families were given a look around The Lodge and Yew Trees buildings in September after the charity heard its attempt to buy the buildings was successful.

Among those given an early glimps was Rebecca Thursby and her and two-year-old daughter Sophia from All Cannings.

She said at the time: "Sophia suffers from seizures and stops breathing so she needs to be resuscitated. So it is nice to know she is in safe hands with the carers at Julia’s House.

"It makes you feel like you can breathe again knowing that she is safe and being well taken care of."