Guardian Angels appeal passes £240,000 milestone

6:09am Monday 14th April 2008

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THE Press's Guardian Angels appeal has passed the £240,000 mark after big-hearted pub-goers sacrificed their beer money and handed their quiz winnings to the fund.

Reuben Barrett, Jason Shearer, Keith Lofthouse and Allan Woods landed a £100 prize when they won a York pub quiz.

But instead of spending the money behind the bar at The Swan, in Bishopthorpe Road, they donated their cash to our appeal.

It was even doubled to £200 by Coalters Estate Agents, in York, where Reuben is managing director.

He said: "The Guardian Angels Appeal is a much more worthwhile cause than our beer fund. We're really pleased to be able to make a contribution to the campaign."

Reuben, of South Bank, in York, had an extra reason for wanting to support our appeal, following the tragic death of his new-born son two-and-a-half years ago.

His wife, Laura, gave birth to Finlay, in August 2005, but despite a courageous fight for life after being born with a blood infection, he died nine days later.

Reuben said: "It was a really difficult time to say the least and since then I've always been looking for ways to raise money because I know the good work that York Hospital does. We had a very bad story, but staff did the best they could do."

The couple have since had a daughter, Imogen, who is now 16 months old.

Reuben said: "It would be great if York Hospital had more specialised equipment to help other sick children. The sad thing is that the public have to raise the money, but I'm happy to play a part in helping to reach the target."

The appeal aims to raise £300,000 to fund two life-saving high-dependency rooms for York Hospital's children's ward. It will be one of the first district general hospitals in the UK to have such a unit.

It will provide care for children suffering from illnesses such as meningitis, septicemia, breathing difficulties, viral chest infections, bronchiolitis and fits. A specialist nurse will care solely for these high-dependency children.

The appeal now has just £60,000 to go before hitting its target.

Over the past two-and-a-half years, barely a day has gone by without a cheque arriving at The Press's offices, in Walmgate.

The support of our readers has been overwhelming as we strive to raise the cash needed.

If you are holding a charity event, let us know about it and we can publicise it in The Press to make sure as many people as possible support your efforts.

Phone Nicola Fifield on 01904 653051 or email nicola.fifield@thepress.co.uk. 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.

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