THE campaign for a children’s hospice in Wiltshire is just £400,000 away from its £3.5 million target after an anonymous pledge of £1 million.

Julia’s House, the charity behind the project, said the pledge was secured thanks to the support of the Wiltshire Community Foundation.

CEO Martin Edwards broke the news at a VIP reception at Salisbury City Hall last night at a special fundraising show by comedian Michael McIntyre, who lives in Compton Bassett near Calne..

Mr Edwards said the unexpected donation would mean the hospice could open as early as autumn 2017, well ahead of the original 2018 goal.

The charity has yet to identify a site for the new hospice but is looking in the Devizes area, a central location that would make it as accessible to as many families as possible.

“This is wonderful news for Wiltshire,” said Mr Edwards.

“Families with a seriously ill child should not have to struggle on alone without regular respite to help them cope. And when the end comes we want their child to have the best nursing care, surrounded by the people and things they love.”

He praised the support they had received so far from the Wiltshire public, but was keen to stress that Julia’s House would continue to need the community to rally behind it if the hospice was to succeed.

“The £3.5million covers the cost of building or converting a property to create a hospice. The fundraising appeal doesn’t close when the doors open.”

Care staffing and day-to-day running costs will still have to be met.

Mr Edwards said Mr McIntyre’s generosity in hosting a show for Julia’s House had raised enough money to fund a nurse for a whole year.

“Julia’s House receives just six per cent of its funding from the government.

"We rely on the generosity of local people to enable us to provide this free service – this lifeline – to families who so desperately need it,” he said.

Julia’s House is looking to replicate its award-winning Dorset care service throughout Wiltshire once the new hospice is built.

The charity currently provides regular respite care, in its Corfe Mullen-based hospice and in families’ own homes throughout Dorset and south Wiltshire. It also organises social activities for parents and siblings.