A LITTLE boy who suffers from a rare medical condition has taken centre stage as the face of an appeal to raise £20million for a new hospital.

Josef Comberbach, five, joined a host of celebrities, including Bob the Builder and comedian Brian Conley, supporters of The New Children's Hospital Appeal, and other patients and their families at the official launch in Manchester this week.

Joe has been a patient at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, since he was five-and-a-half months old.

He has severe coarchation of the aorta, a condition causing his arteries to narrow, as well as an enlarged heart, hypertension and septicaemia.

Joe, who lives with parents Kevin and Lynda in Hapton, will transfer to the new hospital in Manchester when it opens in 2009.

Lynda said: "Pendlebury saved Joe's life and we are very grateful.

"Everyone there has been fantastic and always done their best to ensure that Joe receives the best care, with the best equipment possible.

"That's why we chose to support the hospital and are supporting the appeal by sharing Joe's story.

"Having spent so much time at Pendlebury, we understand the need for the new children's hospital, and very much look forward to the new facilities and surroundings that it will provide."