THE DAILY Echo-backed Wayne Howard Appeal is hitting the big time after members of Northam Fitness Club volunteered to hold a 24-hour punchbag marathon to raise money.

In total, 25 members of the club's boxing section will hammer away at the punchbag for an entire day in a bid to raise more than £1,000 for the appeal.

The youngsters, together with some senior club members, will pummel their hearts out on two punchbags, non-stop for 12 hours, effectively notching up a 24-hour total.

1997 Southern Counties Boxing Champion Wayne Batten, 30, is organising the marathon, which is taking place at Northam School, Southampton, on Saturday. He said: "The reason I want to do this is that I was reading the Daily Echo and it touched me. I have two children myself and I felt I had to do something to help."

"It's a shocking story. It is hard for him to recognise his own children and that must be unbearable, so I really wanted to do something. I know what it's like to raise money - it's hard, but I am looking to raise at least £1,000 and hopefully more."

Father-of-three Wayne Howard, 34, was a martial arts practitioner and an ace motorcyclist before a road accident confined him to a wheelchair. Wayne had to have his right leg amputated after the accident and sustained major brain damage, which means he is sometimes unable to recognise his own children.

A German clinic specialising in treating brain damage may be able to improve Wayne's quality of life. The Wayne Howard Appeal Fund was begun to raise the £25,000 needed to pay for his treatment.

To donate to the Wayne Howard Appeal, send cheques or postal orders (please do not send cash) made out to The Wayne Howard Appeal Fund, to: Appeal, 16 Railway Cottages, Tate Road, Old Redbridge, Southampton, SO15 0NL.

To organise a fundraising event please send your ideas to the same address and contact Gareth Lewis at the Daily Echo on 023 8042 4499.

For further details of the campaign visit the website at www.waynehoward.org.uk