IT COULD save the lives of thousands of children.

A state-of-the-art children's emergency and trauma department in Southampton will include new beds, cubicles and x-ray facilities.

The Daily Echo is giving its backing to the campaign to make the £4.8 million project a reality.

The building, on site at Southampton General Hospital, will have an acute assessment unit with a safe room for mental health patients, a dedicated sedation room and a new reception, triage and waiting room.

The fundraising total stands at £947,000, and the £1 million barrier is a crucial milestone that will enable building work on the development to commence. We are backing the campaign's push for £53,000 in time for 2018.

Fiona Dalton, chief executive of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are extremely grateful to the Daily Echo and its readers for backing our appeal so enthusiastically and we are delighted to have the newspaper's support as we look to push he campaign on."

One member of the hospital staff is tackling the climb of a lifetime in a bid to push the fundraising total even higher.

Thirty-year-old Hannah Taylor has worked for the NHS Foundation Trust since 2005 and became a paediatric nurse last year.

Now, she's up against Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain.

Hannah, who arrived at base camp ahead of the 18,500 foot climb yesterday, said: “This is set to be my toughest test yet, least of all for the lack of hair washing facilities!

“It will be fantastic to know that every step will go towards fundraising for this amazing facility at Southampton Children’s Hospital, ultimately benefitting all the children that require emergency treatment across south central England.

“I’m thrilled to have already exceeded my original target of £1,000 – my fundraising total now stands at £3,000 and I can’t thank people enough for their support.”

The appeal, led by Southampton Children’s Hospital Charity, aims to raise £2 million in donations which will be matched by the government, and the final £800,000 needed will be allocated by the Foundation Trust.

Jeneen Thomsen, head of major gifts, said: “The lengths our fundraisers go to never fail to amaze me.

“This one is a real test of endurance, both physically and mentally, and we are so thankful that Hannah has chosen to support the children’s emergency department appeal while taking on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“She has done so well to smash her target even before jetting off which goes to show how much of a difference just one fundraiser can make. Thank you to everyone who has supported this appeal.”

The trek will cover more than 40 miles and Hannah will reach an altitude of 18,500 ft across glaciers and forests.

To donate to Hannah’s cause, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/sotonhannahebc.

To find out more about the trauma centre appeal and to donate, visit southamptonhospitalcharity.org/appeals.