I drove over to the Butterwick Children's Hospice at Stockton this morning to launch the fourth book in the Dad At Large series.

Going into the hospice always puts things in perspective for me. It really is such a special place, where so much care is taken to give comfort to children who need more help than most.

This morning, a little girl was being gently nursed in the children's room, smiling every now and then at a big cartoon Teddy on the television. She brought a tear to my eye and made me appreciate how lucky I am to have four healthy children.

Of course, hospices rely on donations to keep going and I'm happy to say that the Dad At Large books and talks have raised nearly £16,733 for the Butterwick so far.

The latest book is called "The View From The Doghouse" because that's where dads seem to spend a lot of their time.

The book costs £5 and is on sale at The Northern Echo's offices in Darlington and Bishop Auckland.

I'm doing a Christmas book-signing in our head office in Priestgate, Darlington, between midday and 3pm on Saturday, December 20.

I'm also signing books at the Head of Steam railway museum, off North Road, in Darlington, on the next two Sundays (December 7 and 14).

The museum is hosting "Santa At The Station" events on those days so it should be good fun.

With a bit of luck, the latest book and a new round of talks will push me over the £20,000 mark for the Butterwick.

I've already started on Dad At Large 5, which should come out in about three years from now.

And after that, I'll probably be on to my first Grandad At Large book.

I hope to see you at one of the book signings.