GAZETTE & HERALD: LITTLE Lydia Cross has had a busy few days. First she had the excitement of sharing her third birthday with the Gazette's mascot Gilbert.

Then she and her baby sister Millie were reunited with the ambulance technicians who rushed them to hospital last year.

Adam Rathbone and Tracy Eels were among a host of Wiltshire Ambulance personnel who presented the Cross family from Chippenham, with £320 they collected for the Gazette's appeal.

Lydia's mother, Jodie, 34, said: "Adam was with me when we took Millie into hospital last year.

"She was suffering from meningitis but I was in a daze and didn't realise how seriously ill she was.

"He was so reassuring and caring and I know that Tracy Eels who was in the ambulance that rushed Lydia and my husband, Tony, to Bath soon afterwards, was also a fantastic help.

"Both were very frightening experiences, but the crews were so professional Adam even stayed with me in accident and emergency at the Royal United Hospital in Bath for as long as he could before he was called out on another emergency," she said.

"It's lovely to meet them again, but at the same time it's a little overwhelming because it has brought back how sudden and frightening it all was."

Millie Cross, now nine months, went on to make a full recovery from her illness and doctors say she shows no apparent after-effects.

But her older sister Lydia, three, had to have both her legs amputated below the knee after suffering from septicaemia resulting from the HIB virus.

The Gazette is now running an appeal to raise £12,000 to pay for Lydia's continuing treatment at Dorset Orthopaedic, the clinic which fitted her with a new pair of hi-tech prosthetic legs, three weeks ago.

Ambulance technician, Mr Rathbone said: "The last time I saw Millie she was very grey and we were very concerned about her seeing her now, having made a full recovery is amazing."

Tracy Eels said: "It is so moving to see Lydia again, especially as she is walking around on her new legs. She is a very special child."

They gave Lydia a teddy bear, sweets and colouring books and pens.

Ambulance technician, Barrie Slade, who also offered the Cross family a free holiday at his family's caravan in Somerset, said: "So many people have been involved in collecting this money and special mention has to go to the many students studying at the ambulance college who have organised quiz nights to boost the funds.

"Having the Cross family come to the station to receive the cheque has been wonderful. They are a special family and we are all just glad to be able to do our bit to boost the Gazette's appeal."

Lydia also enjoyed her third birthday and had an visitor at her birthday party Gilbert the Gazette and Herald alligator.

The plucky youngster's party was thrown by sponsors, the Mill House pub in Bath Road, Chippenham, and she certainly celebrated in style, with 17 little friends and her family.

As well as a disco and balloon magician, Lydia and her friends played in Pirate Pete's ball pen and ate lots of lovely food.

But the highlight of the evening was definitely our Gilbert.

"He's a chocodile," said Lydia before promptly throwing her arms around him. Warned to watch the

alligator's teeth, she replied, "It's okay he's lovely."

The two then danced and posed for pictures.

The Lydia Cross Appeal now stands at around £4,000, but we need more help to swell its coffers.

Donating is easy cash or cheques made payable to the Lydia Cross Appeal can be sent to the Gazette and Herald, 31 Market Place, Chippenham, SN15 3HP.

Donations can also be deposited straight into the Lydia Appeal account held at Lloyds Bank.

Please quote sort code 30-91-99 account number 03091761.