THE final stage of preparation is under way at the Shooting Star Children's Hospice in Hampton.

Staff will be moving into the brand new building in The Avenue over the next few weeks to complete the fitting-out. A series of open days will be held early next year and the first children will be welcomed during the spring.

These are exciting times for the Shooting Star Trust's expanding staff and volunteers, currently based at temporary offices in Hampton Hill High Street.

Last week the trust announced its latest appointment. Sarah Thorne is the charity's communications manager.

This senior post will involve bringing the hospice's work to the attention of the public. This includes redesigning the website, reviewing all promotional literature and managing press and publicity.

Sarah said: "I am delighted to be joining the team at the Shooting Star Children's Hospice and believe my previous experience and knowledge of this sector will be a great asset to the organisation.

"I am very much looking forward to identifying and creating new opportunities within the business as well as focusing on future growth," she added.

Chief executive Dalton Leong commented: "This is a crucial stage of the charity's development as the children's hospice moves towards welcoming its first life-limited children and their families early next year. Communications is key to the continuous development of the charity and keeping supporters informed.

"I am confident that Sarah will prove invaluable to this process and I look forward to working closely with her," he said.