WINCHESTER charity Naomi House & Jacksplace has been given a major financial boost towards their new facility.

The charity’s Caterpillar Appeal – a £4 million development which will join both Naomi House and Jacksplace by way of an enclosed bridge – has been given £10,000 from the Barker-Mill Foundation (BMF).

The foundation, which was formed in 1995 by Barker-Mill Estates, has reached its own £3million donation milestone and decided to revisit one its first ever beneficiaries to celebrate.

Since they began the foundation has donated £23,551 to the children’s hospice.

Mark Smith, deputy CEO at Naomi House said: “We are so pleased that the Barker-Mill Foundation has chosen to provide us with further funds to mark their impressive milestone. We have benefitted from donations from the foundation numerous times over the years and are always incredibly grateful.

“Other plans for our refurbishment include larger bedrooms and bathrooms, dedicated space for messy play and music therapy, and the installation of high specification technology needed by the children in our care. The cost for this project is £4 million, so the contribution from the BMF will keep the appeal moving and getting our plans off the ground.”

The appeal will be the biggest development at Naomi House since it opened 16 years ago. Plans include a complete redesign of the hospice interior, starting with a new entrance foyer and private interview room.

Tim Jobling, Trustee at the Barker-Mill Foundation, says: “We are thrilled to be making a new donation to Naomi House. It’s important to us that we continue to support the chosen charities and organisations that we fund, seeing how our donation has been used and where further help may be required in the future.

“Now that we have reached a £3m donation total, we were delighted to mark this achievement by providing further funds to Naomi House, who were the recipients of one of our very first donations when the Trust was formed.

“We look forward to giving many more donations in the future and support the wealth of charities, organisations and projects that we help across Hampshire.”