A s1million robot could help save children's lives at a community hospital.

The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in Fulham Road, Chelsea, is asking residents of the Royal Borough for their support during a massive fund-raising drive to buy a robot to carry out life-saving surgery in paediatrics.

Parents of sick youngsters have joined doctors, nurses and celebrities to get behind the campaign - which will be helped by  www.londoninformer.co.uk - to raise bags of cash for the good cause.

The state-of-the-art automaton will be used in place of human hands during delicate operations on patients, some as young as one month old, at the hospital - which has treated more than 60,000 ill children during the last year.

It will prove invaluable during delicate procedures such as kidney removals, hernia operations, and procedures to help unblock tiny stomachs so they absorb food. There are only two such surgical robots, which eliminate the slip of a human hand, currently operating in the UK.

Consultant paediatric surgeon Simon Clarke explained: "We are very proud to serve the local community and love our wonderful hospital and landmark building. This why we want to make our centre a world class one and give the children of west London the best.

"This machine, guided by surgeons, will carry out life-saving key hole operations. By using the robot it will take away the risk of human error."

It is hoped that thanks to the precision of robotic operations, children will feel less post-operative pain, spend less time in hospital and more lives will be saved. The hospital aims to be able to buy the device in two to three years time for one of four new s8m children's operating theatres that are set to be built at the site by the NHS Trust.

If you want to help see www.surgery4children.co.uk/donateonline or send a cheque, payable to The Children's Hospital Trust Fund, to Dr Julia Fishman, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 369 Fulham Road, SW10 9NH.