MEET York's new Guardian Angel.

Last week, we handed over the first £35,000 to York Hospital's children's ward for our Guardian Angels appeal.

The money has been used to appoint new project nurse Maureen Augey, a staff nurse on York Hospital's children's ward, who will oversee the scheme.

Maureen, 52, said she cared "passionately" about high-dependency children's care.

Our appeal aims to raise £300,000 to create a high-dependency unit for sick youngsters - with the aim of improving services at the hospital and ensuring children can be treated in York wherever possible.

At the moment, they can be sent to Leeds or even further afield if they need treatment York Hospital cannot provide.

Maureen will be working as a project nurse for the high-dependency unit for two days a week - carrying on with her staff nurse job for the rest of the week. Her job will involve making sure staff on the ward are specially trained in how to look after high-dependency children, as well as looking at what equipment the new unit will need.

Maureen said: "We do get a lot of children who fit the criteria - lots of them we have to send to Leeds, some of them we do keep on the ward, but it would be nice to have a high-dependency area.

"It will care for children at a higher level than what we can provide on a general ward.

"It will also be a step down for children who've been on intensive care. There will always be children who have to go to Leeds, but we will be able to take them back sooner."

Maureen's own son developed meningitis when he was two. He has now fully recovered, but she has not forgotten the experience of having a very sick child and hopes she can use it to help other parents going through the same nightmare.

"When it was him, everything that you know just goes out of the window - you just focus on that child," she said. "I do know how parents are feeling. For any parent, their child is the most important thing in their life."

So far, our readers have showed overwhelming support for our appeal, raising a total so far of £77,000.

If you would like to help by holding a charity event, phone Lucy Stephens on 01904 653051, or email lucy.stephens@ycp.co.uk.

To donate, send cheques or postal orders made out to The Press Guardian Angels appeal, to Lucy Stephens, Newsroom, The Press, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

Please do not send cash and please do not send donations to the hospital direct.