ALMOST exactly a year ago the parents of four-year-old John Mark Riding issued an emotional plea through this newspaper. They had been told he had just three months to live.

The former Lancashire Evening Telegraph Baby of the Year was diagnosed with a brain tumour so dangerously positioned that some surgeons ruled out an operation.

The response of you, our readers, to the plight of the former Lancashire Evening Telegraph Baby of the Year was quite amazing.

In short the family's situation touched the hearts of East Lancashire. Teenagers, parents and grandparents alike felt their anguish.

Letters of sympathy and support poured in and thousands of pounds were raised to help pay for treatment that might achieve the hoped-for "miracle" that would allow him to go to school like any other child being prepared for a normal life.

He was said to have responded remarkably to two weeks at a clinic in Germany where experimental treatment put John Mark back on his feet again and helped him regain the use of his left arm.

But a few weeks later he deteriorated and readers' cash helped John Mark go to Australia where some hope was offered.

A nine-hour operation was performed by a surgeon recognised as probably the only person in the world who might be able to give the boy the lifeline he deserved.

But within a few months, after a second trip to Australia, the prognosis looked grim as the tumour spread and John Mark contracted meningitis and slipped into a coma.

Today our thoughts and sympathy are with the former Darwen boy's family as we remember a life so tragically cut short.

Our readers have shared some of the rollercoaster of emotions that they have had to go through in the past year and admired the courage of the boy who touched so many hearts.

His fight for life will not be forgotten.