CHILDREN with life-limiting conditions can now access support through a hospice at home service.

The long-awaited service has been launched after Forget Me Not Children's Hospice reached its £60,000 fundraising goal.

The money will fund four nurses to provide care to families in Bury and North Manchester in the comfort of their own home.

Forget Me Not Children's Hospice took over Grace's Place in Radcliffe in July 2017.

Kirsty Franks, general manager of Grace's Place, said: "We made a very clear promise that we would be caring for children and families by the end of 2017 and thanks to the hard work of all our supporters we've been able to make some magic happen for families."

A total of nine families are already signed up to Hospice at Home, with referrals now open to families in Bury, Rochdale and Oldham for clinical care, counselling, therapies and practical support.

This is the first children's hospice provision in Bury, Rochdale and Oldham, where there are 650 children with life-limiting conditions.

Ms Franks added: "So much has happened since we got the keys to Grace’s Place, but there’s still so much more to do.

"With continued support from the community and businesses from across Greater Manchester, I’m confident we’ll be able to make more magic happen and open the doors of Grace’s Place to families by autumn this year."

Work is still underway to complete the on-site provision, which includes building a new wing and preparing the bedrooms for visiting children and their families.

Forget Me Not is also opening charity shops in Rochdale and Royton early this year, with more to follow.