IPSWICH: Spring might be the traditional time to get rid of any junk, but one charity is hoping people will be keen for a summer clear out as well.

The Treehouse Appeal, backed by The Evening Star, is holding what they expect to be Suffolk’s biggest car boot sale – and is looking for anyone who wants to see the back of their unwanted items to get involved.

The Big Summer Declutter, which will take place on Sunday, August 8, at Trinity Park, will be opened at 10am by local music legend Nik Kershaw.

There will be a range of other activities throughout the day, including one brave volunteer getting his foot-long beard shaved off in aid of the charity, and the auction of the last-ever script from BBC show Ashes to Ashes signed by all the actors.

But the action doesn’t stop there. There will also be a farmers’ market selling a range of local produce, and a lifestyle area with stalls selling handbags, jewellery and aromatherapy products, as well as antique valuations and Land Rover challenges.

Organiser Patsy Johnson said: “We are looking for people to register for the car boot sale and for anyone who wants to book a stall for the lifestyle area and farmers’ market.

“A lot of people have said they want to support the Treehouse Appeal and this is perfect – people get to recycle their stuff and support the appeal with their entry fee, but they keep the money from anything they sell.”

Registration for a car boot sale pitch costs just �10 and all proceeds will go to the Treehouse Appeal to help raise the �3million needed to build and equip a new purpose-built children’s hospice in Ipswich.

The current hospice is too small to meet the charity’s needs as it was designed to house a maximum of 50 families, but now cares for more than 80 families in need of specialist care.

Organisers are aiming to raise around �10,000 from this event, which also includes raffle prizes such as a flight in a hot air balloon.

The organisers will also be at the park on Saturday for those who cannot attend on Sunday, but would like to donate items to sell.

Anyone wishing to get involved can contact organisers on 01473 276116 or download a registration form at www.each.org.uk/treehouse.

The event will take place from 7am to 3pm, and entry to the general public costs �1, with children under 14 going in free.

n Are you raising money for the hospice? Have you been helped by the hospice? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk