CLAIRE House Children’s Hospice has launched a weekly lottery to raise funds for much-needed beds.

The charity, which provides specialist and end-of-life care for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions, is hoping to raise £100,000.

Donor development manager Janet Abraham said: “Despite having a 10-bedroom facility, Claire House currently operates eight beds, but would like to take this to a total of nine available at any one time in the very near future.

“Currently we care for more than 160 children. However, an extra bed will allow us to extend the service to more children and increase the opportunities for our existing families to stay at Claire House.”

Supporters of the Bebington-based hospice can enter the draw for £1 per week and will be sent a six digit number.

A winning number will be selected each week and potential prizes will range from £5 to £25,000.

Pat Faragher, director of fundraising, said: “To provide an extra bed 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, for the one-to-one care we specialise in, we need £100,000 on top of our current £2.5m annual running costs.

“Giving little and often is key to securing our future and the lottery is a perfect way in which to do this and for our supporters to take a chance on winning £25,000. We can’t wait to have our first winner.”

Your Champions nominees Natalie and Peter McKeown from Upton, Chester, send daughter Cara, 11, to Claire House for 17 days a year.

The 11-year-old has Rett syndrome and is entirely dependent on her parents.

Peter said: “The days Cara spends at Claire House each year are like mini holidays for her. The facilities are fantastic and Claire House is the only place we can leave Cara overnight with the peace of mind that she will be well looked after and totally safe.

“Claire House also enables us to recharge our batteries and dedicate a bit more time to spend with our son Alex. It gives us a break from the daily routine of drawing up syringes full of medicine several times a day and being constantly ‘on duty’ watching out for seizures.

“Life would be a lot more difficult for us and other families if Claire House wasn’t around.”

For more details or to play online, visit www.claire-house.org.uk or call 0151 343 0883 for an application form.