A church parish is helping to provide £25,000 worth of paediatric chemotherapy drugs to help children suffering from leukaemia in Iraq.

The move was triggered by John Hinman, of Osmotherley and Crathorne parish, near Northallerton, after seeing BBC News presenter Orla Guerin broadcasting from the Central Hospital in Baghdad.

"I contacted the BBC to ask if there was any organised help for these children. I was e-mailed by Orla Geurin, who spoke to the two doctors featured in the news item, Professor Ibrahim Al Nassir, head of the leukaemia unit, and Dr Jafar Al Khaban, who was responsible for the children," said Mr Hinman. "We received lists of their medical needs."

An appeal was launched with the help of Father Terence Richardson, at the Mon-astery of Our Lady of Mount Grace, Osmotherley.

A parishioner, Dr Geoff Naisby, consultant radiologist at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, is investigating other professional needs, said Mr Hinman.

A recent donation was from a harvest festival at Swainby. Canon Dan Spaight also asked parishioners at his Christ the King Church, at Thornaby, Teesside, to collect for the sick children and raised £500.

Donations can be sent to Fr Richardson, at 18 North End, Osmotherley, Northallerton, DL6 3BB, or to Dr John O'Neill, who can be contacted on (01642) 711431.