A GREAT grandmother with a big heart was thrilled to bits that by turning one year older she could support our Guardian Angels Appeal.

Mary Brook, of Heworth, in York, did not want any presents for her 93rd birthday, she asked for donations to our appeal instead.

Mary invited family and friends to a party at Field Court sheltered housing and raised £190 for our appeal, which aims to bring in £300,000 for life-saving high-dependency facilities on York Hospital's children's ward.

Without them, seriously ill youngsters from York have to be transferred to cities as far away as Leeds, Sheffield and Hull.

Mrs Brook, who has one daughter, two granddaughters and one great grandson, said: "I'm a great grandmother and I have another one on the way.

"Family life has always been important to me and I'm always hoping for better things for them.

"I think it's so vital that children in York have something nearer to them than Leeds because it's such a long way for them to have to go."

Mrs Brook, a former wages clerk, said she had been following the progress of our appeal since its launch in October 2005 and had been looking for a way she could help.

She said: "I always read The Press - people say I eat it - and so I've read all the stories about children in York who have needed high dependency."

If you are holding a charity event, let us know about it so 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@ycp.co.uk. You can also find a section on Guardian Angels on our home page, under "news" and "campaigns" and "appeals". There you'll find a downloadable poster which you can customize to generate more publicity, and a sponsorship form.

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.

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