DOING GOOD, FOR DIANA; WOMAN MOVED TO HELP CHILDREN BY EXAMPLE SET BY LATE PRINCESS.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

Adele Macpherson heard the news of Princess Diana's death on her car radio that evening and became instantly saddened thinking of the woman she admired for her work with children and AIDS patients.

In the eyes of Americans, Diana was a socialite, a fashion statement and a gossip item, but in the eyes of the English, she was a heroine, said Macpherson, a Briton with a crisp accent who lives in Newhall.

Macpherson went to church services the next morning to mourn the princess. She didn't expect to receive inspiration from a friend who suggested she do more than pray. Soon, Macpherson was on the telephone, making plans to continue Diana's work.

Now it's official.

The Queen Victoria Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire will be raising money to bring children crippled by land mines to the area for treatment at Shriner's Hospital in Los Angeles. The Princess Diana Memorial Fund to Aid Young Victims of Land Mines can be found at Valencia National Bank.

As part of the effort, children will be flown to Los Angeles and provided lodging for a stay that could last six months, Macpherson said. During that time, the children will be fitted with prostheses, or artificial limbs, and shown how to operate them. They also will return over the years for follow-up treatments, including refitted limbs.

``For me, it's created a full circle,'' said Macpherson, who worked in podiatry and helped people with prostheses in England. ``We're carrying on her work.''

Macpherson, a city of Santa Clarita employee, doesn't consider herself a royal fanatic. She doesn't have pictures of Princess Diana hanging on her walls, and listened with amazement when her mother in England told her how both young and old spent the night in the rain to catch a glimpse of the funeral procession.

But Macpherson has a loyalty that comes with being a royal subject. She remembers staying up all night with her sister, who also lives in the area, to watch the wedding of Lady Diana and Prince Charles. They waived British flags during the broadcast.

Macpherson's friend at church, Sam Pearson, is a regular volunteer at Shriner's Hospital.

The Valencia resident offered to get support for the program from administrators there.

Meanwhile, the California chapter of Healing the Children in Santa Clarita Valley will help the Daughters of the British Empire find the needy children.

``I just got through talking with one of the board of governors and he said, `I couldn't think of anything better,' '' said Pearson, who suggested to Macpherson that she do something constructive with her grief. ``The hospital's just more than willing to do it as long as they've got room for them. And we have room right now.''

Healing the Children is also ready to help out. Cris Embleton, director of the California chapter, said there are so many children in need that finding candidates shouldn't take long. She was just happy to hear that the Daughters of the British Empire has been inspired to get involved.

``I think any time you can reach out and help a child, it's wonderful,'' Embleton said. ``You don't have to be a princess. You just need your voice, and anyone can do that. It's up to all of us.''

Regent Dianne Myers, who serves as head of the Queen Victoria chapter, said the inspiration is certainly spreading.

Upon hearing of Macpherson's idea, Myers contacted the national organization and got others excited about the effort.

``The president is very hyped up on it. We'd like to get them all to join in,'' Myers said.

``This may turn into a nice, worthwhile thing. And if it doesn't catch on, we'll still do it ourselves.'' she said

That's fine with Macpherson, who said she'd be pleased if one child's life became more livable.

``As many children as we can help, we would love to,'' she said. ``But if we only help one, that would be great.''

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE

Contributions to the Daughters of the British Empire's effort to aid young victims of land mines may be made at any of the three branches of Valencia National Bank:

23620 Lyons Ave., Newhall

18539 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country

24300 Town Center Drive, Valencia

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--Color) (Color in SAC only) Adele Macpherson of Newhall is working to create a fund to aid young victims of land mines in honor of Diana.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News

(2--Color) (Color in SAC only) (Ran in SAC, AV, SIMI only) no caption (Princess Diana)

Box: HOW TO CONTRIBUTE (See Text)