A YOUTH band from America will fly across the Atlantic next month to give its backing to The Press's Guardian Angels Appeal.

The Kinkaid Youth Band, from Texas, will give a concert in the newly renovated St Lawrence's Church, in York.

The 45-strong band will perform a mixture of American marches, film themes, show tunes and classic pieces.

Entry to the event at 7.30pm on Thursday, June 12, is free, but there will be a collection in aid of our appeal, which aims to fund life-saving high-dependency facilities for children at York Hospital.

Father Tim Jones, priest in charge of the parishes of St Lawrence's and St Hilda's, in York, said: "The Guardian Angels Appeal is a wonderful example of the way in which a community can work together for those who are most needy and most vulnerable.

"We would love to see lots of talented young musicians from York coming down to the church to mingle with the Kinkaid Youth Band and make them feel really welcome.

"St Lawrence's Church is the second largest church building in York after the Minster and has excellent acoustics, so it is the perfect venue for concerts."

During their week-long tour of England, members of the Kinkaid Youth Band will also be performing at the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle, the Victoria Embankment Gardens in London and the City of London School for Boys.

The youngsters from Kinkaid Upper School, in Houston, have been saving for the trip for more than two years.

Many have had to find different ways to raise the money, including sponsored jam sessions, car washing and baby sitting.

The band's director Fred Angerstein said: "The band has worked very hard to offer the highest possible performance standard.

"We are all looking forward to performing for the people of York and hope they will come along and help raise money for a very worthy cause."

Our Guardian Angels Appeal is now only £40,000 short of the £300,000 we need to fund the new high-dependency unit on York Hospital's children's ward.

Your money will mean many more youngsters can be treated in York rather than having to be transferred further afield to cities like Leeds, Hull and Sheffield.

These children could be suffering from illnesses including meningitis, septicemia, breathing difficulties, viral chest infections, obstructions of the voice box, severe asthma, bronchiolitis, convulsions or coma and physical injury.

If you want to make a donation, send cheques or postal orders made out to The Press Guardian Angels Appeal, to Guardian Angels, The Press, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.