THE dad of battling youngster John Mark Riding today appealed for the people of East Lancashire to help raise funds for a vital new operation.

Former Lancashire Evening Telegraph Baby of the Year John, who lived in Darwen until three years ago, has battled against a brain tumour which doctors thought would kill him.

Specialists in Britain gave him just three months to live in October, and he has already beaten those odds by three months.

With funds raised by generous East Lancashire folk and supporters in John's home town of Redruth in Cornwall, he was able to receive treatment at the private Huferland Clinic in Bad Mergentheim in Germany.

Although his progress there stunned the doctors, he is still very ill and dad John Riding, from Blackburn, is desperate to send him for an operation in Australia.

Specialist surgeon Dr Charles Teo is set to try to remove the tumour at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, and has requested John's operation goes ahead as soon as possible.

Dad John, who is now back in England with his son, said: "Dr Teo has pencilled in the operation for next Wednesday.

John is in Cornwall, with John's mother, Jacqueline Sanderson, and is planning to fly from Heathrow to Australia on Saturday, provided he has the funds.

The family need an immediate £10,000 for the flight and operation, plus another £15,000 for the sustained care.

Anybody who can help should ring the fund-raising office on 01209 203000 or go to the website at www.johnridingappeal.org.uk