Coleen praised for hospice campaign work

Shopping queen Coleen McLoughlin has been praised by the Government for championing the role of children's hospices.

Miss McLoughlin presented a Tonight With Trevor McDonald report last May on the funding crisis which leaves many hospices facing cuts or closures.

The 20-year-old fiancee of England footballer Wayne Rooney has an adopted sister, Rosie, who receives respite care at a Merseyside hospice.

Following broadcast of the report, the Prime Minister pledged an extra £27m over three years for the UK's 34 children's hospices, and agreed to launch an independent review into their future funding.

In a new Tonight with Trevor McDonald report, broadcast at 8pm today on ITV1, Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis heaps praise on Miss McLoughlin for highlighting the issue.

He said: "I applaud Coleen's work in this area, I think it's really important. I think she cares passionately about it."

"That fact that she cares enough to focus on it is to her credit and she can only be of assistance to all of us who want to see palliative care improved in this country."

"There is nothing more important than the way we look after and care for people who are going through this experience."

Miss McLoughlin said: "The Government are reviewing Children's Hospice funding and their conclusions are due at the end of the year. I do hope they take it seriously."

Her sister Rosie, eight, suffers from rare genetic disorder Retts Syndrome and requires 24-hour care.