A GROUP of local dads are taking on the Krypton Factor challenge to thank the hospital unit that helps care for their disabled children.

Plumber Darren Warburton has organised the assault course challenge at Holcombe Brook for July 11.

Now he is appealing for sponsors to help raise thousands of pounds for the Mary Sheridan Centre at Leigh Infirmary, which looks after his little boy, Greg.

When the 17-months-old was born with a deformed hand and feet, Darren and nurse mum, Janet, of Birch Road, Leigh, had to make the agonising decision whether to amputate - or put him through a series of operations upto the age of 21, with no guarantee that he would walk any better.

They plumped for the prosthesis route.

Greg, came into the world with three toes on one foot and four on the other and with both ankles bent outwards.

Surgeons amputated across both feet and brought the heels forward , so that with false limbs he is now able to stand and toddle with a little help.

Darren, who works at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said: "A group of 16 of us, five or six fathers with children at the Mary Sheridan Centre, started planning the fund raising event last year.

"We want to raise as much as we possibly can for the unit which does a marvellous job looking after youngsters with physical and mental disabilities.

"They attend the centre from six months to five years and have some smashing facilities. We would like to provide more, whatever the unit needs."

Anyone willing to help can contact Darren on 512308 and donations should be sent to the Mary Sheridan Centre, Leigh Infirmary.

Darren is pictured with son Greg. PACL754/24

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