CHRISTMAS was turned from despair into happiness for a group of chronically and terminally ill children. In November we published the emotional story of how the Libra Support Group in Stevenage, which looks after children in the town and throughout North

CHRISTMAS was turned from despair into happiness for a group of chronically and terminally ill children.

In November we published the emotional story of how the Libra Support Group in Stevenage, which looks after children in the town and throughout North Herts, had been hit by the Christmas gift company Farepak going bankrupt.

The group had seen its £500 savings with the company vanish and the possibility of a bleak Christmas loomed with the children not having gift vouchers or a party.

Within hours of The Comet hitting the streets novelist Ken Follett stepped in with a cheque for £500 from the Follett Trust, with his MP wife Barbara chipping in a day's wages of £161.

The kitty was swollen by over another £1,000 with further £500 donations from Three Valleys Water and Stevenage company Ace Taxis as well as readers sending in money.

Staff at the John Lewis depot in Stevenage also gave the children a big Christmas party and 63 children and their parents enjoyed a fabulous event in the company canteen where staff dressed up in festive costumes and gave them a meal and presents.

"Thanks to The Comet the kids all had a marvellous, no fantastic Christmas," said Libra Support Group treasurer Steve Long.

"The paper rescued us and with the donations we got we were able to give each child a voucher for £15 to spend and they have had a very merry Christmas when only a few weeks earlier it was all gloom and doom.

"Staff at John Lewis gave us a cracking party where everyone had a great time.