The mother of a little girl from York tells Health Reporter Charlotte Percival why being cared for in your home city is so important for the families of sick youngsters.

LUCY RUDDLE was only four months old when her tiny body had to fight a frightening lung condition.

As bronchiolitis tightened its grip on Lucy, she struggled harder and harder to breathe, and the strain was exhausting for such a young baby.

Doctors treating Lucy in York Hospital feared she might need intensive care 28 miles away in Leeds, where she could be put on a ventilator.

Luckily, Lucy, of Murton, stabilised and recovered after spending time in an incubator with oxygen and intravenous fluids. Her mum, Tracey, said was extremely grateful she had been able to stay in York during the crisis of her daughter's potentially life-threatening illness.

"Lucy was a premature baby and we had spent a few months in hospital with her when she was born, being transferred between York and Halifax, so we knew what it would be like to go to Leeds," she said.

"It means being away from your friends and family and away from everything that's normal.

"It was a scary time with Lucy being so poorly and it does not help to think you might have to go all the way to Leeds when your baby is at their poorliest.

"It would have been much nicer to know that even if she did need some help with her breathing, we had the option of perhaps staying in York."

The Evening Press Guardian Angels appeal aims to buy, among other things, a CPAP ventilator. This key piece of equipment could help babies and children who need some help with their breathing, but who do not need to rely on a ventilator completely.

It would mean some children could be treated in York, although some would still have to go to Leeds.

Tracey said: "It's an assurance for parents to know equipment is there to help their children.

"For those who may not have to go to Leeds, it means they can stay in York with staff who are already looking after them and it gives them the knowledge that if their child does go downhill then the staff could have the equipment there to help them."

Lucy is now a happy, healthy 15-month-old, who has a bad chest occasionally, but who has recovered from bronchiolitis.

"I guess you never expect that your child's going to have to need high-dependency care," said Tracey. "You always think it's going to happen to somebody else.

"Guardian Angels will make a huge difference to children and families who do need to go into hospital."

Making a donation

IF YOU want to make a donation, send cheques or postal orders made out to 'Evening Press Guardian Angels appeal' to Charlotte Percival, 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: 09:48 Tuesday, October 11, 2005