Tucked away in the heart of the Sussex countryside the final touches are being put to the Chestnut Tree House Hospice.

In a determined effort to provide a desperately-needed place for children and parents to get respite care and support, campaigners have almost reached the £5 million target set for the project.

Launched by St Barnabas Hospice in Worthing in 1998, the scheme won the support of its president, Lady Sarah Clitton, who donated the land off Dover Lane near Angmering.

The campaign caught the attention of thousands across the county and about £3 million has been raised through events and donations.

St Barnabas had already put £1.5 million aside in reserves, which means only £500,000 is needed to hit the £5 million target. But the story does not end there.

It could cost between £1 and £2 million a year to keep the hospice going, and this figure could increase if demand for services rises.

Appeal fund-raising manager Paul Morris said: "Everyone has been tremendously supportive and has really got behind this campaign.

"But it doesn't end when the hospice opens. We still have to raise about half a million to meet the capital cost of setting up the hospice and then there are the running costs.

"We are asking people who may have already helped organise events for us and have not managed to collect all the money yet to get in contact and send the money in so we can continue to boost our campaign."

The fund-raising team is in talks with primary care trusts about increasing funds and plans to push the Government into setting money aside specifically for children's hospices across the UK.

At the moment, hospices do not get any money directly from the Government but have to rely on grants and donations.

The hospice opens in July with a range of day-long activities and events for children and their carers.

Once staff have got the hospice up and running and parents and children have got used to it, the residential side will kick into action.

The hospice aims to be a home from home for up to 400 families from East and West Sussex as well as providing practical and emotional support.

Its main role will be to provide respite care in an environment similar to a child's own home. Parents or carers can choose to either stay with their child at the hospice, along with other family members, or take a break themselves.

It will provide the only dedicated hospice service in Sussex for children and young adults who are expected to die before they reach 19.

At the moment, children have to travel to Hampshire, Surrey or Kent for respite care and hospice facilities.

Youngsters who will be using the centre include those with life-limiting illnesses such as muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, multiple disabilities, cancer and progressive genetic disorders. Staff aim to provide a place that is open 24 hours for medical, practical and emotional advice.

Facilities include a hydrotherapy room, a multi-sensory rooms, a wet and dry play areas, a TV and games room and a computer and music room.

There will be six children's bedrooms, one for emergency care and four teenager/young adult rooms. There will also be six double and two single bedrooms for families.

Staff will not wear uniforms and there will be no badges, door numbers or wards - and very few rules.

Among the children getting ready to use the new hospice are Perry and Seb Finch from Storrington, who both have spinal muscular atrophy.

This affects the muscles used for crawling, walking, head and neck control and swallowing. The condition is degenerative.

Both boys need constant care and support and their parents Pam and Lee say the hospice will be invaluable.

Having a hospice on their doorstep twill be a major boost for the whole family.

For more details about the hospice or to help with fund-raising, call 01903 265824 or write to Chestnut Tree House Appeal, St Barnabas Hospice, Columbia Drive, Worthing BN13 2QF.