IT'S a corny cliche, but children really are our future. That is why every penny spent on building the new £20m Oxford Children's Hospital is money well spent.

The dream is fast becoming a reality, with building work on the Headington site well under way.

But the fundraising to pay for it is far from over, which is why today we are asking for your help as the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign enters a crucial stage.

More than £10m has been raised so far from charitable trusts, corporate donors and other sources, towards a target of £12.5m in the Major Gifts section of the campaign.

The NHS has provided a further £5m, leaving £2.5m to come from the Community Appeal.

That's where you come in.

The Community Appeal needs the support of the general public to reach its target. It's getting there too, with almost £750,000 in the kitty so far.

If you have contributed, then thank you for your generosity. If you haven't, we would urge you to think about doing so, either by giving cash or your time by organising a fundraising event.

There are so many ways to raise money -- and you can be assured that every donation, no matter how small, will be gratefully received.

For those of you who are wondering why you should help, we would ask you to read our special edition of the Oxford Mail.

When the hospital opens in 2006, they will leave the outdated, cramped and totally unsuitable children's wards at the John Radcliffe Hospital and move into the most modern facility in Britain.

The building and everything in it has been designed with the children and their carers in mind.

Bright, airy and spacious, it will make life as comfortable as possible for young patients who are often frightened and in pain and allow far easier access for their families.

Mandy Marya's son Tom, ten, suffers from global development delay, a condition the symptoms of which are usually associated with cerebral palsy and autism.

Tom spends a lot of his time in the hospital and is fascinated by the building work taking place outside the window of his antiquated ward.

She says: "He knows it's the new children's hospital and by the time it's open he will still be eligible to use it.

"There are so many elements of his care and so many consultants and they are all over the place. It would be great if they were all in one building."

One day very soon, her wish will come true. All it needs is for the people of Oxfordshire to show their customary generosity and give this amazing campaign one final push.