A YOUNG cancer sufferer has inspired two York nurses to raise almost £1,000 for a special family care unit.

York District Hospital nurses Pam Thornton and Christina Sloper organised a raffle in aid of Eckersley House, a facility in the grounds of St James's Hospital in Leeds, which allows the families of young patients to stay close to them during their treatment.

The pair were inspired by Megan White, six, from Alne, near York, who was last year diagnosed with mylomblastoma, a type of cancer affecting her lungs, throat and face.

Her mother, Carol, also works at York District Hospital and has been staying at Eckersley House during Megan's treatment.

Pam said 75 prizes were donated by local companies for the raffle which helped to raise an amazing £935 for the unit.

She said: "We usually have a raffle which we use to buy things for the ward. But when Megan was diagnosed we thought there was no option but to have it for Eckersley House."

Eckersley House is run by the Sick Children's Trust and provides accommodation for 16 families, including cooking facilities, a laundry, dining area, playroom, sitting rooms and bathrooms.

The facility relies on charitable donations.

Pictured above: Lillian Steele, from Eckerlsey House Sick Children's Trust, receives a cheque from Megan White and her mother, Carol, watched by health care assistant Christina Sloper, second left, and auxiliary nurses Sandra Gallagher and Pam Thornton, right, at York District Hospital

Updated: 11:42 Thursday, January 31, 2002