MORE and more readers are adding their weight to support the Evening Star's Save a Life Appeal.This year we are trying to raise £20,000 for the SARS appeal to get a state of the art communications systems for the volunteer doctors who speed to the aid of the sick and the injured.

MORE and more readers are adding their weight to support the Evening Star's Save a Life Appeal.

This year we are trying to raise £20,000 for the SARS appeal to get a state of the art communications systems for the volunteer doctors who speed to the aid of the sick and the injured.

The new equipment, including satellite navigation equipment and tracking systems mean the doctors can get to the scene of an accident much quicker and ambulance controllers will know exactly where they are.

One person who knows exactly what SARS go through is Steve Webb, the director of Orwell Trucks and Vans is Martlesham.

He is involved with accident rescue services who work on the side of motor racing tracks and has to get drivers out of cars as quickly as possible when they have accidents.

Mr Webb said: "I know how hard it is for people who do that kind of thing."

To support the SARS appeal the company raffled off a new gents' mountain bike that was given to them.

Mr Webb said: "We could not make our minds up which member of staff was the most deserving case to give the bike to.

"So we thought we would raffle it off instead and give the money to SARS."

It is hoped the raffle of the bike will raise around £250 which will be added to the Evening Star appeal.

If every SARS doctor in Suffolk can get the equipment, so many more lives could be saved on our roads.

Also the doctors can notify ambulance crews whether they are needed or not at the scene meaning that they can then be freed up to go onto other jobs, in turn saving other lives.

With new mobile phones and radio contact, the SARS doctors can also let accident and emergency departments know the extent of the injuries of the people being brought in so immediate care can be waiting for them when they reach the hospital.

The new communications system should ensure all round quicker and better care for people.

n. To tell the Evening Star of any events being held to raise money for the Save a Life Appeal, contact the Star newsdesk on 01473 282257 or email StarNews@eveningstar.co.uk.

To make a donation, send to SARS Appeal, Geraldine Thompson, editors secretary, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.