THE 2009 Beatles Day was launched at Alder Hey children’s hospital yesterday with a fanfare and a chorus of She Loves You, led by a mop-top wearing Ricky Tomlinson.

John Lennon’s sister, Julia Baird, a trustee of the new Beatles Day Foundation, was also at the launch.

This year’s event, on July 10, will raise money for Alder Hey’s Imagine Appeal and the Marina Dalglish Appeal.

The inaugural event during Capital of Culture year collected £50,000 in a single day, and a slice of the money was presented to the Daily Post’s official charity Liverpool Unites yesterday.

Ricky, who will return as compere of the grand finale Beatles Day show, at the Echo Arena, said: “Last year was fantastic and this next one is going to be even bigger and better.

“I want everyone in Liverpool to buy Beatles wigs and book tickets for the Arena. There is already a tremendous amount of interest coming from abroad, too. I think everyone in the public eye has a duty to give a little bit back, and this is a fantastic cause. I am looking for a few people to help with sponsorship.”