The awarding of £464,288 to a children’s hospice from the Department of Health is an “amazing boost”, according to its chief executive.

It was announced this morning that Haven House Children’s Hospice in High Road, Woodford Green, will receive the money as part of a £60million investment by the department in hospices nationwide.

It will go towards the building of an annexe at the hospice’s White House home, an “arts and crafts style” house built in 1906.

The hospice, which cares for children with life-limiting conditions and their families, estimates the building works will cost £699,000.

Mr Palfreman said: “This really is an amazing boost for our tenth birthday year and will enable us to provide vital additional activities and a more comprehensive care programme for the local children and families we support.”

The new building will include consultation facilities to be used by clinicians, from Great Ormond Street Hospital for example, and children; a dedicated room for music and other therapies; increased space for training and additional accommodation for families.

A planning application has already been submitted with Waltham Forest Council.

Mr Palfreman added: “While this is a fantastic amount, the cost of the new annexe and other improvements is significantly higher than the funding we’ve received. “Therefore we will still be working hard to secure additional funding for the build, in addition to the day-to-day costs of running the hospice.

“With this in mind, we will need the support of our local community more than ever to help us achieve these objectives.”

Fourteen London hospices will benefit from £4.8m through the scheme which is run in partnership with charity Help the Hospices.

To make a donation to the hospice and help with its 10th birthday plans, visit www.justgiving.com/havenhouseis10.