WORK will start soon on India's first holistic haemophiliac centre for children - thanks to a Bradford hospital worker.

Lucky Kaur, whose daughter Anita Rani is a roving reporter on the BBC1 One Show, has helped raised £3,000 so far for the planned building to go ahead on a plot of land in Pune.

Now Mrs Kaur, who works at Bradford Royal Infirmary as a liaison officer, has announced she will also be raising funds closer to home to make a difference to even more lives.

The 60-year-old says she will be splitting any funds she makes between the Pune initiative and Bradford Hospitals Charity.

She made a start last Friday when she rallied support from city centre NatWest staff to help her run a stall in the BRI foyer marking World Haemophilia Day which raised £550.

"In my heart it is also important to help here where I live as well as with the hospital in Pune. They are keeping me up-to-date with plans and have said building will start soon which is wonderful news," said Mrs Kaur.

Mrs Kaur first got involved with the Haematology Society of Maharashta, in Pune, years ago when it was twinned up with the Bradford Haemophilia Centre at a meeting of the World Federation of Haemophilia.

And when BRI consultant haematologist Liakat Parapia, who used to take out medication and spare equipment from Bradford to cash-strapped haemophilia awareness camps and clinics there, retired Mrs Kaur kept up the links.

As well as recruiting support here in Bradford she has also set up a network of fundraisers and supporters in India to make sure the new holistic centre becomes a reality. It will eventually treat young people up to the age of 30 and will have accommodation where patients and family can stay, as some will have to travel hundreds of miles to get there.

There are 740 children registered with the existing diagnostic centre in Pune, but more are getting diagnosed every day, said Mrs Kaur. .

Haemophilia is an inherited disorder where blood does not clot. If left untreated, internal bleeding in haemophiliacs can cause swelling in joints, leading to pain, deformity or death. A substitute blood factor can be given to help.

Bradford Hospitals Charity fundraiser Hayley Collis said Mrs Kaur's decision to share funds was much appreciated.

"Our volunteers and staff members like Lucky truly understand the difference that donations make whether its making the environment less clinical and more friendly or helping enhance specialist equipment. We are so thankful for all they do."

To find out more about how you could support Bradford Hospitals Charity either e-mail charity@bthft.nhs.uk or call Hayely Collis on 01274 274809.