A Hornchurch man has taken the reigns of a children’s charity, vowing to steer it through the “challenging times” ahead.

Mike Palfreman, former chief executive of Age Concern Havering between 2005 and 2010, will now lead Woodford-based Haven House Children’s Hospice.

Mike takes over from Ian Sparks, OBE, who has been chief executive at Haven House for the last two years.

“I am delighted to be joining Haven House at this stage in its development and look forward to working with the staff and volunteers to build further on the excellent work already in place,” said Mike. “I am also looking forward to renewing contacts within Havering as Haven House supports children and families across most of the NE London boroughs.

He added: “These are challenging times for children’s hospices and a key priority will be to ensure the money we raise from fundraising and government is enough to enable us to meet the needs of local children and families”.

Ian will now serve the charity as its chairman.

He said: “It is clear that Mike has a passion about the work of children’s hospices and he will bring a great deal of skill and energy to his work. I am delighted that he has been appointed and am sure that he will continue to improve and expand our range of services to help life-limited children and their families in our community.”