A ST HELENS police officer is organising a special fund-raising event for a charity that is close to his heart.

Detective Inspector Jon Dawson, head of Child Protection and Domestic Violence for the St Helens area, is organising a Last Night of the Proms concert at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on behalf of Action Research.

The charity carries out research into diseases suffered mainly by children. Jon, whose 11-year-old daughter Laura was born with a cleft palate and lip and has already had one major operation to transfer bone from her hip to her gum and faces a further three operations, explained: "We're hoping to raise £10,000 for the charity so children like Laura can benefit. She has been very brave but more research is needed to help fund vital medical research."

The concert is set for Saturday, September 20, at 7.30pm. The Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, with conductor Edward Peak and the Liverpool Welsh Choral Union, will performing such classics as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Pomp and Circumstance. Margaret Richardson is the guest soprano and she will be joining violinist Matthew Scrivener.

Ticket prices start from £8 and anyone interested can contact DI Dawson on 0151 777 6183/4, or the Philharmonic box office direct on 0151 709 3789.

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