MONEY is already starting to come in for The Evening Star appeal to put little JJ Anslow back in the swim.The appeal aims to raise around £7,000 to provide the disabled girl's school with a mechanical hoist to allow her to be lifted in and out of its pool.

By Richard Cornwell

MONEY is already starting to come in for The Evening Star appeal to put little JJ Anslow back in the swim.

The appeal aims to raise around £7,000 to provide the disabled girl's school with a mechanical hoist to allow her to be lifted in and out of its pool.

Head teacher at Heathside in Ipswich, Odran Doran welcomed the appeal and said the school had already received an anonymous offer of a donation.

"We are delighted and we hope it will be a great success. We need to do some work in the changing area as well as put in the hoist, so we feel it is likely to cost about £7,000 in all," he said.

"The work will be of great benefit to the pupils who are here now and cannot swim, but also for those who will be here in the future."

Swimming is 11-year-old JJ's greatest love and is the highlight of her week. It gives her freedom and independence.

JJ, who lives with her parents Pat and Bill in Tomline Road, Felixstowe, suffers from a twisted back and chromosome problems. She is unable to walk, talk, or sit, and has to spend most of the day in a body brace and wheelchair.

But sadly her pleasure of swimming has been cruelly taken away from her – because government rules say she is too heavy to be lifted into the pool.

JJ – her full name is Jahanara-Joy – and her family have been told she is about two pounds too heavy for school staff to lift, according to the rules, even though her weight is only 3 stone 9 lbs.

Mrs Anslow said: "We are fully behind The Evening Star's appeal. While JJ has been the spark for this appeal, it will be other children too that benefit and that is very important."

Cheques made out to The Evening Star JJ Appeal can be sent to Geraldine Thompson, Editor's Office, Evening Star, Press House, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.

n If you are holding a fundraising event for JJ's hoist, let us know and we can help to promote and publicise the occasion. Call Felixstowe news editor Richard Cornwell on 01394 284109 or e-mail:

richard.cornwell@eveningstar.co.uk