BANGS will be going off in more ways than one to help Raise the Roof on a vital new cancer centre at Ipswich Hospital.The annual firework and banger racing gala night at Foxhall Stadium is taking place this Saturday and as well as being a whole lot of fun it will help to raise thousands of pounds for the Evening Star's Raise the Roof appeal.

BANGS will be going off in more ways than one to help Raise the Roof on a vital new cancer centre at Ipswich Hospital.

The annual firework and banger racing gala night at Foxhall Stadium is taking place this Saturday and as well as being a whole lot of fun it will help to raise thousands of pounds for the Evening Star's Raise the Roof appeal.

A huge fireworks display with £5,000 of fireworks and banger racing are all on the agenda, promising some loud explosions all round.

And not forgetting the huge mega stunt which tantalisingly involves several caravans and a lot of explosives – but that is all that has been revealed.

It is going to be an all-action evening with 50 big national bangers getting ready to go out there and get completely smashed up.

And some very special cars are also added to the line up with Jaguars, Limousines, American cars and even hearses making an appearance.

But there will also be some smaller cars and about 60 1600cc Rookie Bangers will be fighting it out in the last round of the Track Championship, with the lucky winner not only taking the title but also getting a trip to Disneyland, Paris.

And if people can't wait for the racing to start there will be plenty going on with street entertainers, bouncy castles, face painting and a torchlight procession around the track, involving the thousands of spectators who want to take part.

People come from all over Britain and beyond to make their way to the event every year.

Previous year's events have been held on Friday night, leading to traffic chaos building back to the A12 and A14.

This year the stadium will be open from mid afternoon. Turnstiles will open from 5pm, ready for the racing to start at 7pm.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for children. A family ticket (2 adults and up to three children) costs £27.

Discounted tickets to save the rush at the gate are on sale at Foxhall Stadium, Peter Brown Auto Sales, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, SGR FM – Alpha Business Park, Whitehouse Road, Ipswich, Internet booking –www. stockcar.co.uk or mail order 01728 638489.

PANEL

Raise the Roof.

The Evening Star has linked up with Cancer Campaign in Suffolk (CCIS) to help raise the final £100,000 to build a cancer education and information centre at Ipswich Hospital.

CCIS launched the project to raise the £300,000 needed in 1998 and up until April had raised £200,000.

So far we have raised £76,000 and are aiming to get the final £24,000 by Christmas – so get fundraising!

The centre will be there for everyone in the community to use – patients can use books and the Internet to research about their condition as well as being able to talk to professionals in the centre.

Families and carers will have private rooms to talk to consultants about the future their loved ones face.

And there will also be advice on hand for people to find out how to spot cancer in its early stages and importantly how to avoid getting it in the first place.

n. Donations for the appeal should be made out to Raise the Roof and sent to Geraldine Thompson, Editors Secretary, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN.

Or to Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, PO Box 100, Badingham, Woodbridge, IP13 8NJ.