NO modern appliances for a whole day - that was the challenge facing a group of fundraisers.Members of the Deben Rotaract Club held a 24-hour technology famine, but it wasn't just digital TVs, Ipods, mobile phones and computers the group went without.

NO modern appliances for a whole day - that was the challenge facing a group of fundraisers.

Members of the Deben Rotaract Club held a 24-hour technology famine, but it wasn't just digital TVs, Ipods, mobile phones and computers the group went without.

They also shunned cars, fridges, cookers, heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, and anything which was a modern appliance.

“It was very hard to decide what should be classed as technology and what wasn't, but the idea was to try to live for a day in an eco-friendly way and raise some money for a good cause,” said the group's publicity officer Jessica Davies.

“Part of the exercise was to encourage us to think about what technology is and what we could live without.

“One issue was do we walk to town, or could we cycle in? Bikes are technology - but they're also eco-friendly, and that was part of the exercise. It's amazing how much technology we take for granted.

“It was quite a challenge and a really interesting experience.”

During the famine the group also ate only locally produced food, cutting down on air and road miles and carbon emissions.

The five taking part - aged from 22 to 31 - walked from Melton to Woodbridge to buy local food, spent part of the day doing an eco-quiz, visiting an eco shop, and playing board games to pass the time.

Through sponsorship from friends, relatives and work colleagues, they have raised around £350 so far for the charity Practical Action, which aims to demonstrate and advocate the sustainable use of technology to reduce poverty in developing countries.