IT is a mystery even the most hardened Evening Star journalists are failing to solve.A brown paper bag and a wad of £2,330 cash are the clues and the Star's appeal to buy a cardiac ultrasound machine for Ipswich Hospital is the only motive.

IT is a mystery even the most hardened Evening Star journalists are failing to solve.

A brown paper bag and a wad of £2,330 cash are the clues and the Star's appeal to buy a cardiac ultrasound machine for Ipswich Hospital is the only motive.

Today an investigation is under way after a generous benefactor left the staggering donation in our post.

It was put through the letter box with a note on it saying “For the Lifesaver Appeal”.

Lifesaver is an appeal to raise £22,000 for a cardiac ultrasound machine for Ipswich Hospital's accident and emergency department.

Anne Kindred, a receptionist at the Star offices in Lower Brook Street, said it is not the first time appeal money has been posted in an old paper bag.

She said: “It's happened before, three or four times.

“I think it started when someone left some money in a bag in this way for the appeal for burns victim Terri Calvesbert.

“Then it's happened a few times since then. It is always in a brown paper bag of some sort and it looks like it's all old notes.

“We don't watch who comes and goes that closely and I can't think of anyone who I saw throughout the day who looked a likely candidate.”

Receptionist Liz Rozier found the cash.

She said: “I went to get the letters out of the box like I always do and found this brown paper bag.

“I said to Anne, 'what's this?' and she immediately said I bet it's money for an appeal. It was all in £20, £10 and £5 notes, I couldn't believe it.”

Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “This donation is overwhelming.

“We are touched by the secret generosity which mirrors the generosity we've received from the the community.”

Do you know where the mystery bag of cash came from? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN. Alternatively e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

LIFESAVER has been running since November.

The ultrasound machine will help doctors diagnose acute cardiac conditions, including heart failure, and is expected to help around 1,000 people every year.

Currently the hospital relies on older technology such as X-rays. It has other ultrasound machines in the radiology department but often A&E patients need a scan immediately and the new machine will be on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The state-of-the-art machine can also do other ultrasound scans besides those for the heart.

The £2,330 donation followed a cheque for £500 also handed in yesterday by a reader who wanted to remain anonymous.