IN February, 1999, Kirsty Howard was given six weeks to live. According to all known medical evidence she should now be dead! Her heart is back to front.

But staff at Francis House children's hospice in Manchester will tell you that Kirsty's heart is very much in the right place!

For the seven-year-old, who has dined with the Prime Minister, shaken hands with the Queen, and escorted superstar David Beckham, has pledged to raise £5million for the cash-starved hospice.

And later this month an event in Bury will aim to add another £6,000 to the £2,139,000 already raised.

Local hairdresser Antony Popadich, proprietor of Antony for Hair in Tithebarn Street, Bury, is staging a charity hair and fashion show in aid of the Kirsty Appeal, launched more than two years ago.

In that time Kirsty, severely handicapped by having all her organs misplaced and needing to rely on a pumping chamber to survive, has touched the hearts of millions through her numerous TV appearances, notably accompanying David Beckham at the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester; being the subject of a Trevor McDonald Tonight documentary, and receiving "Child of Courage" and "Pride of Britain" awards.

The hospice, which deals with terminally-ill children and provides support for parents, needs £1.5 million a year to function and receives only £55,000 annually in total from five surrounding health authorities. Three National Lottery bids have failed to generate one penny so the rest has to be raised from charity.

On Sunday, June 29, Mr Popadich, with the backing of a number of local companies, will hold an evening of hair styling and fashion with one or two celebrities making an appearance on the catwalk. The glitzy evening event, at The Village Hotel, Heap Bridge, Bury, will begin with a drinks reception.

To make the event a success advanced ticket sales are vital, says Mr Popadich.

If you can support the event tickets, priced £15, are available at: Antony for Hair (764 3074); Antony for Hair Partnership, 11 Bolton Street, Bury (797 2003); Gouranga, Bolton Street, Bury (764 6464); Ninety-One, The Rock, Bury (762 9755); Cube Shoes, Mill Gate, Bury (761 1616).