A home away from home is to be created for families of youngsters being cared

for at a children's hospital. Ronald McDonald Children's Charities (RMCC) is donating £878,450 for free accommodation for relatives of inpatients at the new Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children in Brighton.

The multi-million pound hospital, based in the grounds of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Eastern Road, is to open next April.

The majority of the grant will be used to refurbish Glen Court, opposite the Royal Alex, which is owned by Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.

There will be eight ensuite family rooms, a lounge, kitchen and laundry.

The remaining £300,000 will be used to create four family rooms, four twins and two single rooms, all with ensuite facilities, and a lounge, dining area and laundry on level ten of the hospital.

The rooms will also be available for parents of babies in the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex.

Belinda Murphy has benefited from the existing Ronald McDonald House near the current Royal Alex in Dyke Road and has stayed there on many occasions while her daughter Freya is being treated as an inpatient.

She said: "It's been an absolute blessing for our family.

The accommodation is first class, the staff are fantastic and always on hand to lend an ear when you need it.

"The house enables you to get a good night's sleep so you can look after your child properly during the day, and being close to the hospital offers you peace of mind.

"If your child is well enough they can go to the house during the day to have a break from the hospital environment and the whole family is able to sit down to a meal together."

Lee Soden, director of facilities and capital development at the trust, said: "Many families have to travel some distance to be with their children. who often require long-term treatment.

"We know how useful the current house is for these families and so are very grateful to RMCC to enable us to continue providing this facility."

David Knights, director of RMCC, said: "The need for the service RMCC provides is enormous and I am thrilled with the new plans."

Work will start on Glen Court in June to enable it to open by the end of the year.