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Welterweight lent to campaign by Ricky

15/ 3/2006

CHAMPION boxer Ricky Hatton knows a thing or two about fighting.

And he's not pulling any punches when it comes to the battle to keep Tameside's maternity unit.

"I've lived round here all my life and I know people are proud to say they were born in Tameside - it's always nice to be able to say you were born in your home town," said Ricky.

Family man Ricky's five-year-old son, Campbell, was born in the unit and he has nothing but praise for the staff there.

"The doctors and nurses there must have done something right, because he's turned out to be a little star," added the Hyde Hitman.

"It'd be terribly upsetting if the unit closed - there's nothing more important than children. It sounds a bit corny but they are our future and if the hospital loses the unit what'll be next?"

Join Hattersley's famous son and the MASSIVE 10,000 who have already signed our 'Hands off Tameside Hospital' petition.

And remember you now have up until Friday 12 May to tell the Strategic Health Authority why you think our hospital should keep its maternity and children's services. Write to FREEPOST, Making it Better, email consultation.response@gmsha.nhs.uk or call 0800 587 2901.