IT’S ANOTHER step in the right direction.

One more generous Hampshire business has donated £1,000 to our #MatchMyMoney campaign towards a new children’s A&E at Southampton hospital. 

Managers at HairXtensions in Eastleigh saw our coverage of the £4.8 million project and knew they had to get involved. 

Their money will be matched by Hampshire philanthropists The Barker-Mill Foundation, with that £2,000 matched again by central government. 

Manager Emma Stamp said: “One evening I was scrolling through my Facebook. I follow the Daily Echo and I saw that a construction company had donated £5,000. I read through the article and I thought I really want to donate. I have been looking for something to donate towards for some time.”

And the mum of two knows how much the emergency and trauma department will mean to parents across the south.

Her son Grayson, now three, was born with a hernia in his belly button and was treated at Southampton General when he was born. She said: “The staff were perfect - they were just brilliant.”

Amber Badger-Bell, Major Gifts Officer at Southampton Hospital Charity, said: “We are so thankful to the community for their incredible support of this campaign: it really has gone off to a flying start.

“The new Children’s Emergency and Trauma Department will take the hospital firmly into the future, putting it on the national stage it truly deserves.

"Match My Money has been the perfect way to get people talking about and excited for this very important venture. We would like to thank HairXtensions for their generous and timely donation and everyone who has committed so far.”

As previously reported Hampshire firms Xelabus, Blaze construction and Southampton Rugby Football Club have all given cash to the #MatchMyMoney campaign. 

Construction has already started at the children’s emergency and trauma department at Southampton general, but it needs your help reach the next stage. 

That’s why the Daily Echo has joined forces with celebrity couple James Murray and Sarah Parish, whose #2MillionSteps will be matched by central government. 

We are asking businesses and organisations across Hampshire to put their hands in the pockets and donate £1000 each. 

If you would like to donate go to https://mydonate.bt.com/events/bmf-dailyechoappeal/384531.