OUR readers have, once, again, dipped in their pockets and riffled through their drawers to support our Help Our Hospice campaign. We launched the mobile phone campaign last week in support of our fund-raising effort and in just one week we have received

OUR readers have, once, again, dipped in their pockets and riffled through their drawers to support our Help Our Hospice campaign. We launched the mobile phone campaign last week in support of our fund-raising effort and in just one week we have received over 100 old mobile phones. All of these old phones can be recycled and are worth between £5-£10.

Little Downham man Ray Prichard came to us with the idea and has set himself the task of collect 1001 mobile phones for recycling. Ray, 75, has been raising money for the Milton Hospice for 10 years and is supporting our campaign.

"It is heart-breaking to see a child in pain, but also distressing to watch parents and families struggling to cope with trying to look after a child and come to terms with the situation," Ray told us last week.

What You Can Do

You can bring old mobile phones into our reception at 38 Market Street where we have a container. The Cambridge Building Society in Ely at 41 High Street has also agreed to be a collection point for phones so you can take them along there.

Fund-raising

A table-top sale at Little Downham Village Hall on Saturday raised more than £250. Organiser Ray Pritchard is still collecting funds. He wants to thank Mrs Talbot and helpers for organising the refreshments and all those who donated to the raffle. Band members from Error 404 also helped to put the tables away after the event.

Error 404 will be playing at a fund-raising gig at Stutney Social Club on Saturday at 8pm. £3 on the door.

A team of walkers from Soham and Little Dowham are taking on a 270-mile, 10-day trek to raise money for the campaign. The four walkers from Wates Construction are walking the Pennine Way in June. They are Richard Pettitt, Hugh Cafferkey, Robert Setchwell and John Norton. If you want to sponsor the team, you can come into the Ely Standard, Paul Day Sports or the Ross Peers Centre in Soham. On-line at: www.justgiving.com.watesconstruction or contact Paul Andrews at Wates on 01223 257744.

Petiton

We have a petition to put pressure on the Government to improve the funding given to children's hospices each year. If you would like to sign it, go to: www.cambs24.co.uk where you will be given on-line step-by-step instructions or come into our reception. If you would like to have a copy of the petition or act as a collection point for mobile phones, then contact Debbie Davies on 01353 667831 or email: debbie.davies@archant.co.uk.