A CHILDREN'S charity has launched an appeal to help young hospital patients and their families.

Rockinghorse wants to raise enough money to fund a high-dependency unit at East Surrey Hospital's children's ward.

The unit, which would be based at the Outwood Ward at Redhill Hospital, will cost in the region of £45,000 and will greatly improve life for sick youngsters and their parents.

Katherine Greenaway, the hospital's medical director and consultant pediatrician, said: "At the moment, sicker children are placed in cubicles close to the nurses' desk so they can observe them but, once we have a proper unit, we will be able to offer children an even better level of care."

The unit will cater for children who require more intensive observation, treatment and nursing care than can be provided on a general ward, but who do not need full intensive care.

Outwood Ward matron Joanne Farrell said: "We see so many sick children and this will really help them.

"We do provide good care and children get what they need, but to have the new unit will mean we can keep the sicker children here without having to transfer them to London or Brighton."

The Rockinghorse appeal was launched on Thursday, June 17 at the hospital by Reigate and Banstead Mayor David Pay and Rockinghorse chief executive Gavin Fisher.

Rockinghorse was started in 1968 and originally worked to help children in Sussex.

But, in recent years, the charity has begun to work on a number of Surrey projects, including raising funds for a specialised playroom at Beeches Bungalow Respite Centre in Reigate.