A HOSPICE playground for ill children and their siblings has been opened by MP Dame Angela Watkinson.

The Hornchurch and Upminster MP toured Have House Hospice in Woodford Green, meeting with staff, children, parents and its Chief Executive, Mike Palfreman, on Friday.

She formally opened its playground which has been given a £20,000 makeover courtesy of grants from DHL UK Foundation and the Property Professionals Breakfast Club.

The playground has a new all-weather surface which means it can be used for longer periods in late spring and early autumn.

It also features a new wheelchair swing.

According to the hospice getting outdoors and playing in the fresh air is important for children who use services there, as it can help with their development.

Elsewhere, there is often a lack of suitable disability space for them to play in.

Dame Angela’s visit coincided with Universal Children's Day.

She said: “I was delighted to visit Haven House on Universal Children's Day and open its new refurbished playground. The hospice does fantastic work in supporting life-limited children and their families in some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable.”

Mike Palfreman, Chief Executive of Haven House said: “We were delighted that Dame Angela opened our new playground on Universal Children’s Day. It was an opportunity to mark the vital role of hospices in supporting life-limited children throughout the United Kingdom.

“We would also like to thank DHL UK Foundation and the Property Professionals Breakfast Club for their fantastic work in transforming our playground.

“We couldn’t have done this without their help.”