A BOLTON dad fighting to see his snatched son has won the first battle in a long struggle. Ian Lomax, of Alder Street, has now persuaded the Greek courts to hear an appeal against a decision to keep his son in Greece.

As reported in the BEN, Mr Lomax's son, seven-year-old Christopher, is being held by his mother, Helen, in Greece, after she "kidnapped" him while they were on holiday.

Campaigners face a race against time to raise funds to pay a top Greek lawyer to take his case in the appeal courts on May 6 in Athens.

Mr Lomax, aged 41, said: "I am pleased but there's still a long way to go.

"I just hope that this can now give me a way of overturning the original decision.

"The original court hearing was absolutely unjust because I feel I didn't get the chance to put my side of the story. At least I feel I can now have the opportunity for justice." Mr Lomax and his family believe the judge acted against the Hague Convention and broke international law over child custody.

But he must now raise cash as soon as possible to pay the initial costs of a lawyer making the appeal.

It is estimated the final bill will amount to at least £6,500.

National organisation Reunite, which has been helping Mr Lomax fight his case, said: "This is good news.

"With Hague Convention cases, you cannot appeal just because you think it's unfair, you can only appeal on a point of law.

"It means they feel there is something possibly wrong with the decision and the courts can look into the legality of the original ruling."

A big charity gala night to raise funds has now been changed to a later date. The night, at Club Mondo/The Temple, is to take place on Thursday, April 22.

It will feature a charity auction with prizes donated by local businesses. Friends and relatives backing the campaign have also been urging Bolton businesses to organise charity collections to boost the fund in advance of the gala night.

Anyone who wants to donate items for an auction to be held on the night should ring nightclub boss John Musso on 01204 396662.

Collecting tins have also been distributed at shops and businesses throughout the town.

Donations can also be made to The Christopher Lomax Appeal fund at branches of Barclays Bank quoting the sort code 20-10-71, account number 30657298.

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