AS any mum or dad will tell you all we want for our children is that they are happy and healthy.

From the beginning of their little lives our hopes and dreams hinge upon their well-being. Imagine for a minute, though, being the parent of one of the tiniest babies; born before their time and whose start in life is so fragile.

Perhaps weighing less than a bag of sugar, their fight for survival begins with their first breath it's absolutely heart-rending to watch your tiny baby going through such a harrowing battle.

Astoundingly there is simply not enough funding dedicated to research that will help these tiny lives; to ensure they have full and healthy futures.

However, for the last 50 years the charity Action Medical Research has played a crucial role in some of the major breakthroughs in medical care for babies.

The charity played a crucial role in developing the polio vaccine in the UK, in ultrasound scanning in pregnancy, and discovered the link between taking folic acid preventing spina bifida.

To highlight the urgent need for more research the charity has launched a new campaign called "Touching Tiny Lives." The campaign aims to raise £3million over the next three years to fund a vital new programme of research.

I'm thrilled to be able to support the Touching Tiny Lives campaign as a celebrity ambassador and as a mother I feel reassured that Action Medical Research is actively seeking answers to premature birth, pre-eclampsia and other serious conditions that threaten babies and expectant mothers.

You can join me in supporting this life-saving campaign by making a regular donation of just £3 per month or join regular fund-raising activities.

To find out more about helping Touching Tiny Lives or the fundraising events in your area please see www.action.org.uk or telephone 01403 327497.

It may seem like the tiniest of contributions but I can promise you that you will be helping to save the tiniest of lives. You really can make a difference.

Fay Ripley (Via email)