HELP could soon be on the way for sick youngsters at Fairfield Hospital.

The Children's Hospitals Appeal Trust (CHAT), based in George Street, Prestwich, is working to raise money for the children's wards at the hospital to help save the lives of ill and injured infants.

Fairfield Hospital has already been earmarked for new equipment, including new foldaway beds for parents staying overnight with their children, electric breast pumps, syringe pumps and signature infusion pumps to administer drugs and fluids to sick children.

In total, £14,544 will be needed to pay for this new equipment, and CHAT has organised a range of events to help raise this money, including an abseil down the side of Peel Tower on May 16.

The Brown Cow in Burrs Country Park, in Bury, is holding a family fun day on Sunday, May 30, and CHAT has arranged a Black Tie Gala Ball on June 4, at the Reebok's Platinum Suite in Bolton with West End musical star Jimmy Kean helping to provide the entertainment.

A massive £271,689 has already been raised so far throughout 2003 and 2004, and this money will be used to fund equipment in hospitals across the North West.

Liz Oakes, community development co-ordinator for CHAT, said: "We would like to hear from people who would like to boost the appeal, and enjoy themselves raising money."

She also appealed to appreciative parents of babies treated in the children's wards to help CHAT.

She said: "Even a small donation can make a difference towards a bigger piece of equipment."

Liz Oakes can be contacted at the CHAT office on 0161-798-1600, or 07775-601205.