LOOKING at the smile on Emily Franks' face, it is hard to believe that only last year she fought for her life in intensive care.

As she battled against meningitis and septicaemia, Emily's parents were so frightened of losing her that they christened her in York Hospital as medics prepared her for a transfer to Sheffield.

Emily, now aged two, is fighting fit and together with her mum, Michelle Laverack, and dad, Pete Franks, is urging readers to support the Evening Press Guardian Angels appeal to help other seriously ill children.

Emily was taken ill after a knock to the head. Her parents noticed she was unwell and thinking she had a head injury, took her to hospital. Doctors realised Emily was seriously ill and plans were made to transfer her to an intensive care unit in Sheffield.

Emily spent six hours in a theatre block in York, being stabilised before the journey.

Michelle, 34, of Barmby Moor, said: "We thought she had a head injury but the x-ray showed there was no skull fracture. Luckily, the staff listened to us and carried on examining her. When they laid her on the table she was sick and then a spot came up. As soon as they noticed the spot they acted.

"We even had her christened while she was in the theatre block because we were so frightened we were going to lose her."

Emily was ventilated for five days in Sheffield, and spent three weeks in hospital.

Her parents still remember the anguish of waiting for the transfer.

"There were so many medics in the room that we had to wait in a little family room but we did keep popping in," said Michelle. "It would have made such a difference if there had been a dedicated room on the children's ward for Emily to be stabilised in, as it would have been a more comfortable environment for both her and us."

Guardian Angels aims to raise £300,000 to create a two-bedded paediatric high dependency unit at York Hospital's children's ward to treat some of the sickest young patients.

To make a donation, send cheques or postal orders payable to "Evening Press Guardian Angels Appeal", to Charlotte Percival, Newsroom, Evening Press, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

Updated: 10:10 Friday, October 21, 2005