CLAIRE House officials are pleading with the Wirral public to support the local children's hospice - rather than give vital money instead to similar appeals which are receiving national publicity.

"We are becoming very concerned that money which might normally be given to us may well be going to other hospices outside our area," said Wendy Darlington, a director of Claire House, a purpose-built children's hospice on a site next to Clatterbridge Hospital and which was inspired by Wallasey youngster Claire Cain.

"We want people to be aware that if they give money to similar worthy causes outside the area, it will be only a matter of time before we find ourselves in financial difficulty, too," said Wendy.

"I must stress that that is not the situation at the moment, but I would ask the Wirral public to remember that it costs £750,000 a year to run Claire House.

"We are asking people to donate money to charities in their own area, including Claire House, because without that local support we ourselves will be in financial trouble."

Concern has mushroomed following the high profile launch of a £5 million national Sunday newspaper appeal to save a children's hospice from possible closure.

National celebrities are said to be backing the appeal and Claire House officials fear that the Wirral public will follow their lead. The situation is being made worse by the fact that another children's hospice outside of Wirral is also actively trying to raise funds locally.

"We do not object to their fundraising and, of course, every one has the right to decide who they want to donate to, but we do feel that fundraising should be curtailed to your own catchment area," explained Wendy. "It could well have an adverse effect on us - and we hope the Wirral public will bear that in mind."

There are 19 children's hospices across the country all in need of funds and, therefore, are ever more dependant on their local communities.

Meanwhile, local celebrities have been showing their support for Claire House . . .

Veteran funny man Norman Wisdom, comedian Stan Boardman, Merseyside's own Gerry Marsden, Ken Dodd, as well as numerous stars of the TV soaps Brookside and Hollyoaks visited during the recent Children's Awareness Week.

Wirral MPs Frank Field, Ben Chapman and Stephen Hesford also took time to tour the 'C'-shaped (for Claire) building, which members of the public are warmly invited to tour (ring 343-0883 to make arrangements).

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