THE parents of a five-year-old boy who died from a brain tumour have written a book to help spearhead a fundraising campaign for a hospice.

Matthew Lodge stayed at Derian House Hospice during his illness, before dying two years ago.

David and Sue Lodge, of Station Road, Rimington, decided to write the book to help them through their grief and to support other families who have lost children.

They found that writing the book was therapeutic and helped bring back fond memories of Matthew.

Sue, a housewife said: "I found it harder than David to write the book because David had already written some personal pieces about Matthew. I sat at the computer for about three hours a night with a box full of tissues while weeping at the memories."

When Matthew was diagnosed terminally ill at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital just after his fifth birthday, the nurse told Sue and David about Derian House, which they had never heard of and refused at first to take Matthew there because they thought it would be a sad place.

Sue said: "We were introduced to a lady called Pat Hood a member of the care team at Derian House, who helped change our perspective of the hospice. When we took Matthew there for the first time he loved it. He said 'this is Pat's funhouse, just like the one from television' because of the ball pit and all the different activity rooms."

David and Sue have two other children Harriet, four and Grace, one and feel that by writing the book it has helped them move forward.

Sue added: "Writing the book has helped us to remember Matthew and let everybody know what a good job the staff at the hospice do day in day out, without forgetting our two girls.

"The staff understood what we were going through and we knew that Matthew was in great care.

"With all the radiotherapy treatment, and with the illness, Matthew changed and wasn't the quiet little boy who people used know.

"He went around generally being mischievous, which he was allowed to do at Derian House without any questions asked.

"They were with us right to the end. In Matthew's final minutes I didn't know what to do so I phoned the hospice and they helped to guide us through and kept us calm. Their support was priceless to us."

David, who manages an office equipment production business in China.

Throughout Matthew's illness, he tried to carry on with his work as usual to help keep a sense of normality.

David said: "Matthew had enough disruptions in his life, so Sue and I felt it would be best to keep the average routine of me going to work as normal.

"In a way I was glad to get away at times because I am a typical Northern man who buries his head in the sand - it may sound selfish but this way worked best for us.

"We still visit the hospice when we can because it reminds us of Matthew as his ashes are in the forget me not garden."

Matthew's Story tells the Lodge family's journey in caring for their five year old little boy, Matthew's life as well as their time spent at Derian House.

It is being distributed among local businesses and donors to help raise vital funds for the hospice.

Cheshire Building Society sponsored the book, Bryan Jones, area manager for the North West, said: "We were proud to sponsor the book because Derian House helps so many people, without any government funding. The hospice relies on donations from the public which is very difficult to do every year.

The book is available free, but all donations are greatfully received. Contact the appeals office for more details on 01257 234860.