A quiet haven inside the area's largest hospital is set to help thousands of families following a £4,000 facelift.

The family room at the children's ward of the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle has been transformed by the Team Evie charity.

It provides parents and carers of sick children from across north and west Cumbria an area on the ward where they can make drinks, meals and relax safe in the knowledge that they are just a few yards from their youngsters.

A new corner sofa has been installed as has a flatscreen television and table and chairs.

The kitchen now boasts a fridge freezer, microwave and a host of utensils to help families feel comfortable in their hours of need.

Team Evie's distinctive green colour theme runs throughout the room, which has also been given a lick of paint.

The work was completed on Friday when Team Evie leaders Greg and Jill Johnston, from Great Broughton near Cockermouth, helped open it up.

Greg, 33, said: "We understand just how important a family room.

"We wanted a project to do that we knew would make a difference."

Julie Fragouli, ward manager, said: "This room has been out of action for two months. It was flooded after a pipe burst.

"The ward's got 24 beds and we've been giving parents drinks and looking after them but they've not had an area like this where they can take a break.

"This is going to have a tremendous impact. It will make such a difference to the experience they have."
She added: "They can come here any time and having things like the table and chairs means they can come and eat a meal, take five minutes away but know they're still close by."

Debbie Wilkinson, of Harraby, Carlisle is a regular visitor to the children's ward with her seven-year-old son Ryan.

She said: "The room is lovely, very homely. It's just what you need when you're here. I'm a mum who doesn't like to leave their child so having this means so much."

Team Evie was set up by the Johnstons, from Great Broughton near Cockermouth, after they lost their first baby, Evie, in September 2015 when she was six months old.

The little girl fought valiantly despite a multitude of life-threatening illnesses.

And what started as a fundraiser has turned into an established charity.

The charity now supports 10 different wards and medical teams across the North East and Cumbria that care for the county's youngsters.

It has raised more than £100,000 to date, helping to buy physiotherapy equipment, comfort items, portable libraries, iPads for patients and staff training, festive hampers and breaks away for bereaved families.

Last month Greg was named inspirational father of the year by a national charity for his work.

Team Evie patron and England's most capped rugby league star James Graham will be jetting back from his World Cup exploits to run children's coaching sessions.

The prop forward, who is currently Down Under playing for England, is heading to Workington on December 12.

He will hold two sessions, one for six to 11-years-olds and another for 12-16-year-olds at Derwent Park, the home of Workington Town.

The cost is £15 per child, which will include coaching and a goody bag.

James will go on to entertain adults in a sportsman's dinner at Derwent Park that evening.

Tickets are £25 a person or £225 per table of ten, which includes entry and a tasty pie and pea supper.

All tickets are available from the Team Evie website.