A book of sprout recipes is being sold by two mothers whose daughters were cared for at the Children's Hospital.

It's in memory of Lauren Morgan, who lost her life to kidney cancer at the age of three, and will generate funds for Sheffield-based PACT – Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia.

Lauren's mum Rachel Peck teamed up with Deborah Kershaw, whose daughter Megan is now 12 and recovering from liver cancer. The youngsters and their parents got to know each other well in the Children's Hospital.

But why sprouts?

The outreach nurse who helped both families was Rachel Ducker, whose family runs Coppice House farm shop in the Rivelin Valley. She told Deborah and Rachel she had a mountain of sprouts left over last Christmas. "I suggested she ought to write a book of sprout recipes," said Deborah. "She said she didn't have the time and I said I do."

So Deborah worked with Rachel to produce Once A Sprout Always A Sprout Or Maybe Not… which was launched at the farm shop last Saturday.

Deborah was surprised to discover the different ways in which sprouts could be cooked. "I have only had them steamed or boiled. I didn't think we'd be able to track down so many recipes but over the course of the year we have been inundated with recipes from family and friends.

"There are 25 in the book – sprout soup, curried sprouts, stir fries – there's a lot you can do with sprouts…"

It is hoped to raise £4,500 for PACT, which provides a range of support services for families whose children have been diagnosed with cancer.

Lauren Louise Morgan – "Lu Lu" – died in June last year after initally being diagnosed with a tumour in her kidney. It spread to other parts of her body despite an operation, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

She is remembered in print as "a determined little girl… for someone so young and always very happy."

She made her parents Jon and Rachel, who live in Southey Green, "so very proud".

Meanwhile Megan, who was diagnosed with cancer in February 2008, had a tumour and three-quarters of her liver removed in a nine-hour operation in Leeds before undergoing 18 months of chemotherapy in Sheffield. She is continuing to do well.

"She is a very happy, independent and strong-willed little soul who is an inspiration to everybody," said Deborah, who lives in the Doncaster area. "She has never complained once. She has got on with life to the full. She is such a fantastic little girl."

lThe book is available from Coppice House farm shop in Rivelin Valley Road, the PACT office in the Children's Hospital and by contacting Deborah through deborahkershaw588@btinternet.com or 07887 547697.

- Below is one of the recipes for the book – for Brussels sprouts ice cream…

Ingredients:

175g Brussels sprouts

600ml single cream

2 large eggs

100g caster sugar

½ tsp vanilla extract

Method: blend the Brussels sprouts and 100ml of single cream until smooth.

In a bowl mix 300ml of cream, 2 egg yolks and the caster sugar to custard-like texture.

Leave to cool.

When the mixture is cold, stir in the sprout mixture, vanilla extract and the remaining cream.

Place the combined mixture in an ice-cream maker.

Begin the freezing process, then whisk the egg whites until fluffy and add to the mixture.

Continue to freeze as normal.

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