FORMER Saints boss Lawrie McMenemy launched a new Hampshire charity that aims to give hope to limbless children across the country.

Peggy & Friends has been formed by the parents of New Forest schoolgirl Laura Giddings, who lost a foot in a bomb blast in South Africa two years ago. The Gidding were on holiday and were dining out in a Planet Hollywood restaurant when it was wrecked by a huge explosion.

Peggy & Friends takes its title from the name ten-year-old Laura has given to her artificial leg.

McMenemy officially launched the charity by releasing 100 balloons at Paultons Park, Ower, which is close to the Giddings family's Bramshaw home. About 20 children from across the South joined Laura at the fun-filled event.

Her mother, Mandy, said the organisation, whose patron is footballer Barry Venison, was campaigning for a better NHS artificial limbs service. She said: "Many children are wearing limbs that are uncomfortable and, all too often, look like a limb from a shop mannequin.

"Our aim is to get the NHS to provide the same type of high-quality limb that Laura has. There are about 4,500 limbless children in the country and the number is increasing as a result of diseases such as cancer and meningitis. The NHS, in some cases, is failing these children miserably. Luckily Laura is now okay, but we couldn't walk away from children up and down the country who need the same sort of help.

"Our aim is to achieve the best service possible for limbless children by educating parents and setting up a network of self-help groups."

McMenemy said: "Any parent knows that children want to look as much like people their own age as possible."

Meanwhile disabled children will be joining their Saints heroes on a day out at Paultons Park on Thursday. Pupils from special schools across Southampton are visiting the park where they will meet their football idols. City cabbies will don Wild West outfits and take the youngsters in taxis adorned with balloons.

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