THE family of Amy Winehouse have donated £10,000 to Little Havens Children’s Hospice from a charity fund set up in her name.

The Thundersley-based hospice received the payout from the Amy Winehouse Foundation – set up on September 24, the day the singer would have been 28.

The donation came because Amy’s family had been touched by the work the hospice does, following a visit there earlier in the year.

Mitch Winehouse, Amy’s father, said: “When we visited Little Havens, we were so moved. We were lucky enough to spend some time with some of the children and families staying there. We were completely blown away by their strength and humanity.

“The support the staff offer them is just incredible too. It made me realise that children’s hospices aren’t just about death and dying – they’re about living. It is a wonderful place and we are thrilled with the work Little Havens is doing for children across Essex.”

The donation will go towards funding more than 600 hours of specialist nursing care.

Jane Morgan, whose six- year-old son Callum Miller visits Little Havens for respite breaks, said the money will make a huge difference to the free service.

She added: “Little Havens allows us to be a family again. I can get a good night’s sleep without worrying I might get a call saying Callum is really ill, because I know the nurses are looking after him and he’s in safe hands. Without Little Havens, families like mine would be on their knees.”

Amy’s family visited the centre, which offers care and support to youngsters with life-limiting illnesses, to make the donation and help the children put up the Christmas decorations.

Amy, a five-time Grammy award winner, was found dead at her home in July this year. A coroner found she had died from alcohol poisoning.

For more information on the Amy Winehouse Foundation visit www.amywinehousefoundation.co.uk