A 15-YEAR-OLD whose uncle died of cystic fibrosis is to raise money for the Nottingham Post's Room to Breathe campaign.

Jessica Chapman and three friends from Gedling School, are holding a non-uniform day and raffle at the school.

They hope to raise as much money as possible for the Room to Breathe campaign – which aims to raise £60,000 for a dedicated room in a new cystic fibrosis unit at the City Hospital.

Jessica's uncle Matthew Cooper, of Carlton, died of cystic fibrosis in 2001, aged 30.

He was treated at the City Hospital and was himself a fundraiser for the hospital, who raised more than £700 through a Hollywood night and was runner-up in the 1997 Cystic Fibrosis Achievers' Awards.

"I know that he was quite a big fundraiser himself when he was alive, trying to raise money for a centre to be built," said Jessica, of Besecar Avenue in Gedling.

"I wanted to do it for him."

Jessica and her friends are organising the non-uniform day and raffle at the school in April, with all proceeds due to go to the appeal.

Jessica, who is in Year 11, also hopes to talk about the campaign in a school assembly, to encourage others to raise funds and make them aware of the importance of the new unit.

"I think that it will be really good for the families, not just the patients," she said.

"I know that patients struggle to get beds sometimes so it will help them too.

"I think it will be better in the long run for them as they will have more support."

Currently, cystic fibrosis patients at the hospital have to wait for one of four beds to become available, and are often isolated in side rooms on wards as they are so susceptible to infection. The new cystic fibrosis unit will be able to treat more than 250 patients a year, and will include a gym with glass dividers so patients can exercise together without risk of cross-infection.

It will also contain 16 beds, a family room, kitchen area and garden.

Work on the £6.6 million unit is due to start in August this year, and the Nottingham Hospitals Charity needs to raise £2.1m towards the cost.

Jessica's mother, Emma Chapman, spent a lot of time at the hospital when her brother was ill.

She said that the new unit would make a big difference to families, as well as to patients.

"Especially in the later stages, when Matthew was dying, we spent a lot of time with him in the hospital," said Mrs Chapman, 38, who is a teaching assistant at St Ann's Well Academy.

"I was always having to stay in his room on a put up bed.

"It will be fantastic for the family as they can be there for hours and hours on end crammed into a small room.

"It can be difficult and it will be brilliant for families and patients and the staff as well to try and give them the space to work."

She praised her daughter for her efforts.

"I am really proud of her," added Mrs Chapman. "And I know that Matthew would be so delighted and so proud of her as well."

Anybody who wants to donate items for the raffle Jessica is running is asked to contact Gedling School on 0115 952 1171.

How to help

THERE are a number of ways to donate to the Nottingham Post room at the cystic fibrosis unit.

Cheques should be made payable to NUH Charity CF Campaign and sent to Nottingham Hospitals Charity, Sherwood Building, City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB.

You can also call 0115 962 7905 or e-mail charity@nuh.nhs.uk to find out about donating in other ways or to request a fundraising pack. In all cases, please say you have raised money for the Nottingham Post room.

To publicise an event or to speak to the Post, call the newsroom on 0115 964 4065 or e-mail newsdesk@ nottinghampostgroup.co.uk.