The Birmingham Evening Mail has launched a £1m fundraising appeal to pay for a research centre for childhood illnesses in the heart of the city.

The newspaper has joined forces with the Well Child children’s charity to launch the Why My Child appeal, and all the money raised will be used to fund the WellChild Research Centre at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

There vital research will be carried out into treatments and cures for a number of childhood illnesses, including cancer, diabetes and liver diseases.

To coincide with the launch of the campaign, the Evening Mail has been publishing a series of articles and case studies about some of the childhood illnesses, and some of the children who suffer from them.

And to kickstart the paper’s fund, Trinity Mirror – which owns the Evening Mail, has donated £5,000.

Sly Bailey, chief excutive of Trinity Mirror plc, told Evening Mail readers: “This fantastic community campaign is what Trinity Mirror newspapers are all about, and I’m delighted to be giving it our support.

“I urge all local businesses to join Evening Mail readers in backing the Why My Child appeal.”