15837/3GAZETTE & HERALD: PLUCKY Luke Ryan cheered his dad Shaun on as he competed in a 12-hour pool marathon to raise money for Bristol Children's Hospital's Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal.

Ten-year-old Luke, of Palmer Street, Chippenham, suffers from Nail-Patella Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which affects the eyesight, muscles and kidneys. Seven months ago doctors at the hospital fitted special metal cages to Luke's severely twisted legs in an attempt to straighten them.

Luke fronts a £110,000 appeal launched by the Bristol Children's Hospital as part of its Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal to buy four sets of titanium and stainless steel frames for other children like him.

On Saturday his father and four friends played non-stop pool for 12 hours at the Constitutional Club in Foghamshire.

Mr Ryan said: "It was really good fun, but tiring at the end. We played singles, doubles and killer and just kept going."

He said the club let them use the pool table free and he hoped to have raised between £400-£600 for the appeal.

Mr Ryan thanked Les and Daniel Allison, Terry Higginson and Tim Hughes for helping to raise the money.

He said the family was waiting until the end of the month, when Luke's cages were due to be removed. He said it would be an anxious time, as Luke's bones could break in the process. "If that happens we'll be back to square one. The cages will have to be put back on."