IT was launched less than four months ago - but the Evening Press Guardian Angels appeal has already crashed through the £25,000 barrier.

The total will shortly receive another boost from a wine evening and buffet with a difference - the drinks will be served by a naked butler!

Mother-of-three Karen Sanderson is planning the ladies-only event later this month at her home in Huntington, York.

She said she originally planned on a lunchtime buffet, but then found a friend, Anthony Porter, from near Doncaster, who was prepared not only to be a butler for the event but also do it naked - apart from a bow tie and cuffs.

"I thought it would be bit of fun to make people cough up more money," she said. "I then decided I had better move it to an evening when the children are in bed."

She said her husband, Paul, supported her plans, although he was keeping well out of the way that night - "and plans to keep his clothes on!" She said the event, which she hoped would raise hundreds of pounds, would be by invitation only for women she already knew. "Local businesses have donated prizes for a raffle, although we could do with some more. Anyone able to help should ring me on 07939 483443."

Karen said she decided to help the appeal after a friend gave birth last year and her baby had had to go into special care in York for a while.

She had it had brought home to her the problems if children have to go into a high-dependency unit at another hospital, a long way from their parents and relatives.

The appeal aims to raise £300,000 to transform high-dependency paediatric care on York Hospital's children's ward, ensuring where possible that the sickest children can be treated in York by funding two life-saving high-dependency rooms with new, specialised equipment.

If you want to make a donation, send cheques or postal orders, made out to Evening Press Guardian Angels Appeal, to Mike Laycock, Newsroom, Evening Press, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. PLEASE do not send cash and PLEASE do not send donations to the hospital direct.

Updated: 12:04 Friday, February 03, 2006