Phil Neville on cerebral palsy

Football star Phil Neville talks about his daughter, Isabella's, cerebral palsy. He describes the challenges and rewards of family life.

Five years ago, Isabella was born ten weeks prematurely, weighing 3lb 3oz (1kg 445g). She spent her first few weeks fighting for life in the special care baby unit. Isabella survived, but at 18 months she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy - a disability caused by damage to the brain before or during birth.

Phil knows the heartbreak of having to kiss your daughter goodbye every night to return home, which he why is a patron of the New Children's Hospital Appeal.

Money raised will fund state-of-the-art equipment and a family accommodation block at the new hospital in Manchester, which is set to be the biggest in the country.

The appeal currently stands at £18m and aims to raise £20m by June 2009, when the hospital opens.

The England international is currently Everton's captain, playing in midfield.

Everton will play Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Sunday, 19 April.