By Hayley Robinson

Plans to extend and modernise Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Bobbing have been approved by Swale council.

The project includes a complete refurbishment of the children’s bedrooms, the addition of two teenage bedrooms (increasing capacity from eight bedrooms to 10) and en suite bathrooms for every room.

A hydrotherapy centre, which will particularly benefit children with muscular problems, is also a big part of the plans.

An appeal to raise the £1m needed to pay for the building works will be launched at an event in October.

Ted Gladdish, Demelza’s chief executive, said: "It is now over 12 years since Demelza House was built and since then the needs and requirements of the children and families we look after has changed.

"It is, therefore, time for us to increase our capacity to look after more children and provide facilities that improve the experience, dignity, privacy and comfort of the children we care for."

The eight-bedroom hospice provides respite, end-of-life care and bereavement support for more than 600 children and their families.