CONCERT-goers will tomorrow be invited to support guide dog puppy Star and help raise money to pay for her training.A retiring collection is to be held at the end of the Deben High School Christmas Concert in Felixstowe.

CONCERT-goers will tomorrow be invited to support guide dog puppy Star and help raise money to pay for her training.

A retiring collection is to be held at the end of the Deben High School Christmas Concert in Felixstowe.

Students at the scho ol are supporting the Evening Star Christmas appeal with at least one class adopting the loveable pup as their good cause for the year and putting together a series of fundraising events.

Recycle bins for ink cartridges and treasure bins for items such as old coins, unwanted mobile phones, jewellery and keys, are also being put around the school in Garrison Lane to encourage teachers and students to get involved.

Puppy walker Penny Parker, who is looking after Star for her first year and took her in to meet the students, said: “The school has been wonderful - really supportive.

“The students are really enthusiastic and are coming up with lots of ideas to raise money and have fun at the same time.

“It also gives me a chance to talk to them about the work of Guide Dogs for the Blind and the work Star is being trained to do for a blind or visually-impaired person as a guide dog.”

The school, a specialist college for the visual and performing arts, will be presenting its Christmas Concert tomorrow at 7.30pm at St Andrew's Church, St Andrew's Road, Felixstowe.

The evening's entertainment will combine performances by the school's Jazz Band, Blowouts, flute choir, Deben Sticks, orchestra, string groups and choir - featuring favourite Christmas songs and a variety of other performances.

Tickets cost £4 for an adult and £2.50 for a concession. Tickets can be booked through Deben High on 01394 282602 or purchased on the day on the door.

Bids are still being accepted for the watercolour painting of Star by artist Sandra Pond. Send details of what you would be prepared to pay to Richard Cornwell, Evening Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU. Don't forget to include your name and address and telephone number.

To donate to the appeal, please send cheques - made payable to the Guide Dogs - to Richard Cornwell, Evening Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU.

Anyone with coppers - one pence or tuppences - can drop them off at either the Felixstowe or Ipswich offices of the Evening Star.

Has your family been helped by the Guide Dogs - tell us your stories about this amazing charity: write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk