JOHN RYAN has gone hi-tech in his appeal for help in providing cash for Derian House Children's Hospice.

His 21-months-old daughter Katie died in April 1995 of cancer.

Now, to get his urgent message across, he has created a web site on the Internet for the hospice.

John, of Calder Avenue, Hindley Green, spent 30 weeks at Leigh College studying how to set up the web site and picking up technical jargon for the Internet.

Now he is confident the emotional message in the site will cut across international barriers and persuade parents to contribute towards the high cost of keeping the hospice going.

John, who last year condemned mindless vandals who had stolen toys from his daughter's grave in Howe Bridge Cemetery, said: "To discover your child's life is to be cut tragically short is probably the worst thing any parent can contemplate.

"It is for families such as these that Derian House is a haven, somewhere to provide these children with the maximum amount of fun, happiness and friendship in their short lives."

John, who works for Walkers Crisps, tells those who log onto the web site address - www.derianhouse.org.uk - that it cost a massive £800,000 a year for Derian House, which opened in 1993, to remain open.

He added: "We are currently supporting more than 170 families. There is no charge for the hospice care provided at Derian House and we are continually grateful for the donations we receive which enable us to continue to provide such care."

Anyone wishing to contribute money should send their donation to: Derian House Childrens Hospice, Chancery Road, Astley Village, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 1DH.

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