OLYMPICS hero Sir Steve Redgrave is set to boost The Evening Star's Let Them Play Christmas appeal thanks to the generous efforts of an Ipswich business.

OLYMPICS hero Sir Steve Redgrave is set to boost The Evening Star's Let Them Play Christmas appeal thanks to the generous efforts of an Ipswich business.

The five-time gold medallist will take part in a rowing challenge next week in the hope of winning a £1,000 donation from town centre business Call Connection.

Managing director Graeme Kalbraier has secured the champion rower as the star guest at the opening of Call Connection's new call centre in Saxon House, Cromwell Square on December 9.

The building launch, which follows a £3million upgrade of Saxon House to accommodate the relocation of Call Connection to Cromwell Square, is expected to attract 120 business partners from throughout the country.

Today Mr Kalbraier said that one of the highlights of the event, which has been given the theme 'It's All About Winning', would be Sir Steve's challenge to row against the clock for 30 seconds in the hope of securing the £1,000 donation.

He said: “I want to use the day to do some fundraising for charity.

“I'm confident that a man like Sir Steve Redgrave will do it fast enough to achieve the task.

“We will be donating to the Let Them Play appeal and we're also going to donate £1,000 to a charity of Sir Steve Redgrave's choice.”

And the well-known Ipswich businessman also gave his full backing to the Star's appeal, which aims to raise the £30,000 necessary to resurface the children's play area at Ipswich Hospital.

He said: “It's fantastic. I'm all for it.

“The NHS can only do so much. This sort of thing is always going to come out of other funds.

“Children should exercise and play. Children that are in hospital should get the chance to do it but also children who are around the hospital with their families for whatever reason should have the chance to play as well.”

N Has your family benefited from the play area at Ipswich Hospital? Will you be glad to see it updated? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

HIDDEN in between buildings and surrounded by walls on all four sides, the play area at Ipswich Hospital's children's wards is a mini-oasis that brings much needed fun and relief for young patients and their parents.

But without an urgent revamp it could become too unsafe to use.

It has not been resurfaced since 1988 and years of use by thousands of tiny feet have hardened up the ground.

Resurfacing is desperately needed but will cost £30,000 - and that's where you come in.

The Evening Star's Let Them Play appeal aims to raise that money and give the children's ward the best Christmas present they have ever had.

You can help make a difference by holding your own fundraising event.

Organisations, businesses and individuals are all being encouraged to get on board and dig deep.

Cheques should be made payable to 'Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust Let Them Play' and sent to The Directorate of Child Health, Ipswich Hospital, Heath Road, Ipswich, IP4 5PD.

Tell The Evening Star about your fundraising efforts by writing to Sarah Gillett, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, emailing sarah.gillett@eveningstar.co.uk or calling Sarah on 01473 324791.

Steve Redgrave has won six Olympic medals.

They are:

Gold medal, coxless four - 2000 Olympics

Gold medal, coxless pairs - 1996 Olympics

Gold medal, coxless pairs - 1992 Olympics

Gold medal, coxless pairs - 1988 Olympics

Gold medal, coxed four - 1984 Olympics

Bronze medal, coxed pair - 1988 Olympics