FESTIVE shoppers in Ipswich have helped boost the Evening Star Christmas appeal by more than £700 by donating funds on the Cornhill.

FESTIVE shoppers in Ipswich have helped boost the Evening Star Christmas appeal by more than £700 by donating funds on the Cornhill.

Collection points have been based in the town centre since the Star's Christmas tree went up in November.

Those passing got into the seasonal spirit by delving into their pockets to raise the £706 for the Lifesaver appeal.

The appeal aims to raise £22,000 for a cardiac ultrasound machine for Ipswich Hospital's accident and emergency department.

So far, more than £8,000 has been collected towards getting the machine which quickly helps doctors diagnose acute cardiac conditions, including heart failure, and is expected to help around 1,000 people every year.

Currently, the hospital relies on older technology such as x-rays.

It has other ultrasound machines in the radiology department but often A&E patients need a scan immediately and the new machine will be on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The state-of-the-art machine can also do other ultrasound scans besides those for the heart.

Sue Gipps, sales and marketing manager of the Star, said: “The appeal has been doing really well so far and we have already received several donations.

“This £706 will really help to reach our target and make a difference to those who need it.”