WORK on a LEGO model of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity's new Liverpool hospital is underway - thanks to the public's overwhelming generosity.

Thousands of bricks have already been bought by readers as part of the Big Lego Brick Hospital fundraising campaign, which aims to raise more than £500,000 ... and the charity still needs your help to reach its target.

Yo can buy one of the popular toy bricks for a £1 donation.

The aim is to build a 1.6mx2.8mx1.6m high replica of the specialist hospital which is currently being built in Liverpool city centre.

More than 45 different colours will be used to construct the model, which will feature than 100 rooms depicting life in the hospital, complete with miniature toilet blocks, kitchens, lift shafts and hospital beds within the model.

There will also be 200 mini figures of nurses, doctors, construction workers and more.

Experts from Bright Bricks, the UK's only Lego-certified professional, are overseeing the model building project and have trained an army of local enthusiasts to work on the structure.

On the model's progress so far, Katrina Bury, head of the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, said: "It is so exciting to see the idea start to take shape and we would like to say a big 'thank you' to everyone who has bought a brick so far.

"We are delighted to be working with Bright Bricks on this exciting project and we are thrilled with what they have done so far.

"Now the work really begins.

"We are starting to train a group of local people who will work closely with Dave and the team to bring the idea to life.

"Building a LEGO brick replica of our new cancer hospital in Liverpool is an ambitious project but we are sure our dedicated supporters and the people of the region will support us with enthusiasm and generosity."

The Lego campaign was launched by Wirral Olympic gold medallist, TV presenter and one-time I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here ... contestant Sam Quek MBE on May 25, along with young cancer patients Reece Holt, 12, and Taylor Seddon, eight.

The trio was presented miniature models of themselves to mark the occasion.

Urging our readers to support the appeal, Sam told the Globe on launch day: "Clatterbridge has always been close to my heart; I've had friends and family pass through there.

"What the centre gives to not just the patients, but their families, is just remarkable.

"I have been a supporter for a long time, so it's more than my pleasure to be able to build the foundations for this Lego fundraising project."

Funds raised from The Big Lego Brick Hospital campaign will go to the charity's £15million appeal for its new cancer hospital, due to open in 2019, and also pay for improvements at the Wirral site.

On the planned new building in Liverpool, Sam continued: "The building is really important for people across the Northwest.

"The facilities at Clatterbridge are fantastic; it's a hub for people to get treatment and support and feel comfortable.

"So if we can build another one of those over in Liverpool; a new facility, a bigger establishment, it will be of great benefit to patients and families.

"If we can work together – and Merseyside does so well in this – I think we can raise enough money to reach the £15m fundraising target and smash it out of the park.

"Even if it's just one, two, three, 10 or 100 Lego bricks you can go into town and see it being built and what you have achieved as an individual for the charity and the new hospital in Liverpool."

To support the campaign, visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/clatterbridgecc/legobrick or www.clatterbridgecc.org.uk

Related story:

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/16248443.clatterbridge-cancer-charity-needs-your-help-to-build-a-lego-hospital/