IT'S been a great start to The Evening Star's campaign to get disabled JJ Anslow back in the swim – with the fund already over £1,000.The appeal to buy a hoist for the pool at Ipswich's Heathside School was given a fantastic boost today as a Felixstowe-based Christian charity announced details of a grant.

By Richard Cornwell

IT'S been a great start to The Evening Star's campaign to get disabled JJ Anslow back in the swim – with the fund already over £1,000.

The appeal to buy a hoist for the pool at Ipswich's Heathside School was given a fantastic boost today as a Felixstowe-based Christian charity announced details of a grant.

BASIC, which runs a second-hand shop at the resort, is giving £1,000 to the appeal – and hopes that will spark other organisations to help as well.

Heathside needs the mechanical hoist become some of its children cannot walk and step into the pool by themselves and have to be lifted in by staff.

But government regulations say that staff can only lift children up to a certain weight, which means those who are heavier miss out on the swimming they enjoy so much.

One of these is JJ – her full name is Jahanara-Joy – who lives with her mum and dad, Pat and Bill Anslow in Tomline Road, Felixstowe.

But the hoist will not just benefit JJ, who suffers from a twisted back and chromosome problems and is unable to walk, talk, or sit, but also other pupils at the school and many more in the years ahead.

Graham Denny, of BASIC, said the charity was delighted to be able to help the appeal.

"We aim to use the funds we raise to help the people of Felixstowe district. JJ is a Felixstowe person and there will also be other children from Felixstowe who attend the school now and in the future and it will help them, too," he said.

BASIC – Business And Service In Christ – is a registered charitable trust which aims to raise funds for people in need of shelter, education, food, play, and spiritual guidance.

All the profits from its charity shop, which is next door to Safeway in Grange Farm Avenue, are spent locally. Grants have been given to many causes, including helping to fund a Christian youth worker for the town and £2,000 for an ice-packing machine for Felixstowe General Hospital.

The appeal aims to raise around £7,000 to provide a mechanical hoist and do some extra necessary work in the changing rooms.

As well as organising events, people can make donations to the appeal by sending cheques made out to The Evening Star JJ Appeal to Geraldine Thompson, Editor's Office, Evening Star, Press House, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, 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 editor Richard Cornwell on 01394 284109 or e-mail richard.cornwell@eveningstar.co.uk

WEBLINK: www.basic.org.uk