CANCER can tear families apart – but these three numbers could pay big dividends in the fight against it.For the seventh year running, The Evening Star has teamed up with the Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative Society to launch the 977 dividend appeal.

CANCER can tear families apart – but these three numbers could pay big dividends in the fight against it.

For the seventh year running, The Evening Star has teamed up with the Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative Society to launch the 977 dividend appeal.

Simply quoting the trio of digits when purchasing goods in Co-op stores in the Ipswich area means money will automatically be added to our Raise the Roof appeal.

Alongside Cancer Campaign in Suffolk(CCIS), the Evening Star trying to raise £100,000 to top off the £300,000 needed to build a cancer information and education centre at Ipswich Hospital.

The project was started in 1998 by CCIS, who had raised about £200,000 by the beginning of the year.

Information in the form of books, leaflets and the Internet will be available for anyone to find out about cancer. It is hoped professionals will also be employed to be on hand to help.

The link-up with the Co-op will provide a massive boost in the drive to reach this goal. It has proved to be a real money-spinner in the past, raising more than £40,000 to date.

Miriam Harrup, of the Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative Society, said: "We're delighted to be teaming up with The Evening Star this Christmas to raise money for the Raise the Roof Appeal.

"We're sure our members will get behind our joint appeal and quote 977 instead of their own dividend share number when shopping in our stores.

"Co-op members have been very generous in the past, raising more than £40,000 through our 977 appeal, and we very much hope it will be just as big a success this year."

Evening Star brand manager Austen Dack added he was delighted to join forces with the Co-op for such a worthy cause.

"Our link-up with the Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative Society has become quite an institution and has raised thousands of pounds in the past," he said.

"We hope it will be just as successful this year."

N Three pence is donated from every £1 spent on goods purchased from local food stores in the Ipswich area and dairy rounds.

Five pence in every £1 spent at Co-op department stores, pharmacies, opticians and funeral directors is also donated when the 977 divi number is used.

N Anyone who wants to give to the appeal should send donations made out to Raise the Roof to Geraldine Thompson, editor's secretary, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or to CCIS Appeal PO Box 100, Badingham, Woodbridge, IP13 8NJ.

These six charities have benefited from the 977 divi number charity appeal.

Beacon Hill School, in Stone Lodge Lane West, Ipswich - £5,000

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children - £4,935

Suffolk Accident Rescue Service - £5,000

St Elizabeth Hospice £7,500

Terri Calvesbert and Vicky Hall appeals - £6,000

Suffolk Accident Rescue Service - £6,000.

N The Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative Society has also donated £1,000 to each appeal.