A five-year-old from Halesowen has helped to launch the It Starts Here Appeal, a new charity appeal at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Hafsa and her mum Faizah Ahmad are urging the public to support efforts to transform the hospital's current entrance.

The £3m appeal will improve patients' experience and reduce fear and anxiety before appointments.

Hafsa and her mum Faizah AhmadHafsa and her mum Faizah Ahmad (Image: It Starts Here Appeal)

First updated almost 30 years ago, the hospital entrance has been described as cramped, dull and unwelcoming.

The planned overhaul aims to create a bright, open space that is not only child-friendly but also accommodating to the needs of all visitors.

Ms Ahmad said: "I had never visited the Children’s Hospital before and didn’t have any expectations, but when I arrived and walked through the main entrance, my overwhelming thought was ‘this is a children’s hospital?’ It was dark, dated and cold, not child-friendly at all."

The proposed exterior for the hospital The proposed exterior for the hospital (Image: It Starts Here Appeal)

She added that, despite the hospital providing excellent medical care, the entrance itself is challenging for families and patients.

She hopes that the entrance will reflect the world-class care her daughter has received in the hospital.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity needs £3m for the transformation.

The proposed interior for the hospitalThe proposed interior for the hospital (Image: It Starts Here Appeal)

Following contributions from philanthropic individuals and organisations, just £1.6m needs to be raised with the public's help.

Daljit Athwal, chief nurse and midwifery officer, said: "No child should feel intimidated about walking through our front door.

"By transforming our entrance, we hope to inspire families and remove any anxiety, making repeat visits calmer and more relaxed."

Chief executive of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, Mark Brider, added: "Our £3m It Starts Here Appeal will completely change the experience for children and families.

"We now need the public to help us create this magical new entrance."

For more information about the appeal, visit their website.

The project is set to begin in the spring of 2025 and aims to be completed by the end of that same year.