Businessman's splashing idea to help appeal! WHEN people throw money into the water at Morecambe's Never Never Land attraction this summer they'll be helping make a wish come true. It's not a superstition or a gimmick, all the money dredged out of the pool inside Happy Mount Park's illuminated attraction this season is to be donated to the Citizen-backed Colin Rabbich appeal. Eleven-year-old Colin suffers from Chronic Spinal Atrophy which means he can't stand or walk. Seven years ago, the Citizen helped buy Colin a special wheelchair allowing him to get around.

Now he's outgrown that, we are backing a new appeal launched to raise the £3,000 needed to buy him a new one. And this week Happy Mount Park Illuminations chief Nick Westwell came up with his novel idea to donate some cash.

Since TV's Reg Holdsworth opened the lights at the start of August, visitors to the illuminated attraction have been using the pond inside Never Never Land, home to a fantastic animatronic galleon, as a wishing well.

Mr Westwell explained: "There is quite a bit of change in there and I can't think of a more deserving cause to give it to. I think the lad should have his new wheelchair, it's as simple as that."

All the money dropped in the pond before the illuminations close on November 2 will go towards the total. The appeal group hope to be able to buy Colin his new wheels for Christmas. Campaign organiser Pat Fuller said: "That is such a lovely idea. It's nice to think that money from a place like that is going to help a child. People really are being very kind."

And the bulk of the money-raising is still to come. One man is preparing for a sponsored bungee jump while the planning for a huge raffle and auction to be held at Morecambe's Headway Hotel before Christmas has already started in earnest.

We'll be keeping you updated as things get moving.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.