Ellen MacArthur in charity appeal

Sports celebrities, including record-breaking yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur, have launched an appeal to raise £4 million for a children's hospice.

Snooker player and presenter Willie Thorne was also present at the launch of the Building for the Future Appeal at Rainbows Children's Hospice in Loughborough.

Over two years the hospice aims to raise £4 million to give terminally ill young people their own customised sleeping unit to enable children in separate age groups to have their families stay with them.

More facilities will be added to the building, including a hydrotherapy pool, more therapy facilities and a new day room.

An education and training suite will also be set up along with new offices for the community and activity teams.

Last week Richard Noble OBE, who broke the world land speed record in 1983, visited the hospital to present a £900 cheque to the appeal, which had been raised by students at Loughborough College, Community Newswire reports.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "This appeal is so important and will benefit all those who use the hospice services. It will expand and improve current services to meet the needs of these special families."

Rainbows is unique in that it is the only hospice for children not expected to reach adulthood in the East Midlands.