A HOME away from home for families of sick children in Southampton is just days away from opening.

Final touches are being finished off at Ronald McDonald House at Southampton General Hospital ahead of its opening on December 8.

The 53-bedroom building will provide free housing for families of children being treated at the hospital, some of whom may have travelled hundreds of miles for specialist services.

Anne Ward, head of UK operations at Ronald McDonald House Charities, said she was looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the hospital helping thousands of families.

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She said: "Some families are travelling from far away to get the best possible treatment so it is time for us to provide the house so we can support a lot of people and give them accommodation they need to keep their families together during difficult times.

"Ronald McDonald House can take away some of the stress through things as simple as being able to cook your own meals, do your own laundry or get a night's sleep away from a busy ward."

All rooms at the £7m have a direct phone line to the children's ward in case of emergency.

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The house also has communal lounges, en-suite bathrooms, kitchens and books and toys for children.

The charity has a 30-year lease and needs to raise £500,000 per year to fund the house.