Sophie Ellis-Bextor plea to raise £5m for leading children's unit

Londoners are being called on to help create a world-leading medical centre dedicated to treating more than 85,000 sick children every year.

The £45 million unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital will offer state-of-the-art treatment, helping to save the lives of ill children.

The hospital has secured £40 million in NHS funding but is appealing for donations to help meet the shortfall.

The paediatric centre will have four new operating theatres, an extended high-dependency unit and will feature the first children's surgery robot in southern England, offering keyhole operations to reduce pain and cut recovery times.

There will be a day surgery unit, an adolescent ward and accommodation for parents, and it is hoped the Children's Sunshine Appeal will have the centre up and running by next year.

Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, whose two sons were born prematurely at the hospital, said: "My boys are now both thriving which is a testament to the expert care they received as babies. The new unit will help make sure every child continues to receive the best possible start in life."

To make a donation, visit www.childrenssunshineappeal.org.uk