Hull's Sunshine House Re-Opens

It's been closed for over a year after being flooded during the Humber tidal surge.

Published 13th Feb 2015

A children's respite centre in Hull has re-opened today over a year after it was flooded during the Humber tidal surge.

Sunshine House in Walker Street offers short breaks and care to children with life-limiting conditions.

It closed in December 2013 after it was badly damaged by flood water but has now re-opened after undergoing a major refurbishment.

Today, families of children who use the service attended a special event to celebrate its re-launch.

Gareth Raspin's young son suffers from a number of life-limiting illnesses and uses the centre. He says it's been a life-line in the past and is delighted it's now re-opened:

"It means the world to us and it means more to my son as he can come here and have some time on his own instead of being stuck in the house. It's hard work when you take him out so we know if he comes here he can have a good time and I've no worries."

Michelle Smith works with children and young people in the city and told us why it's taken so long for the centre to re-open:

"These are health buildings and the damage done by flood water it's dirty, the whole building has had to be deep cleansed and sanitised. It's specialised equipment that we use here, it's not just sitting on a shelf so unfortunately it does take time but importantly as well we wanted it to be right so that when everybody moved back, it felt like home again."