A HAMPSHIRE charity has appointed a contractor to lead its £4m transformation.

Work begins to refurbish hospice Naomi House next month and Romsey firm Reside Construction has been named the primary contractor.

The charity, based near Winchester, cares for children with life-limiting conditions, and it is the first renovation in the building’s 17-year history.

Plans include enlarging children’s bedrooms, improving family rooms, building dedicated play, music and art areas, and the creation of a bereavement suite for end-of-life care.

Reside has previously built specialist healthcare buildings in East Sussex and North Hampshire.

Mark Smith, deputy chief executive at Naomi House at Jacksplace, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Reside Construction as our main contractor to fully refurbish Naomi House children’s hospice.

“This marks another very important milestone in our journey towards creating a hospice building which fully meets the needs of the lifelimited children and families we care for from across central southern England.

“These families deserve the very best environment in which to receive the invaluable care and support provided by the nurses, carers and support teams at our hospice. We look forward to Reside beginning their major programme of work and bringing us ever closer to that goal.”

• The charity has launched the Caterpillar Appeal to generate the funding, and anyone who would like to donate should visit caterpillarappeal.org.uk.