IPSWICH Hospital is benefiting from a £3,000 cash boost today after Status Quo fans raised cash in memory of Ipswich youngster Shona Gill.The ten-year-old was a big fan of the band, met them on several occasions and even shared tea with bass guitarist John Edwards at her Laurelhayes home.

IPSWICH Hospital is benefiting from a £3,000 cash boost today after Status Quo fans raised cash in memory of Ipswich youngster Shona Gill.

The ten-year-old was a big fan of the band, met them on several occasions and even shared tea with bass guitarist John Edwards at her Laurelhayes home.

Throughout her battle against cancer, Shona's dad Pete became a regular visitor to the Quo's fan site and made many friends who helped offer support through his daughter's illness.

One of those friends was Colin Harris, a member of a Quo tribute band who had raised money for sick youngsters in the past.

When it became clear that Shona would not win her fight, he decided to create an album to raise cash to help improve her quality of life.

Mr Harris said: “Shona passed away the day we released the album, on December 4, 2004.

“However giving the CD a spin every once in a while, and with hindsight, I can say it's nice to have memories, and to look at a lovely project put together by people who all united for a good cause, via their love for Quo and their music.”

Money raised through the CD is now to be split between Boxford and Bergholt children's wards at Ipswich Hospital and the hospital's Homecare Nurses.

The CD entitled Acoustic Quo-tes is an unplugged tribute to the band and includes 15-tracks from numerous tribute bands.

These include Paul and Mikey from Strictly Quo, Darren Woodhall from Spare Parts and Danish contributors Quo-Denmark.

Mr Harris' band The Petrol Band also feature on the album and Mr Harris performs Burning Bridges, a track played at Shona's funeral.

So far 500 of the CDs have been sold of the 600 printed and Mr Harris would still like to sell the remaining copies.

He added: “Shona proved an inspiration to us all in her battle.

“The spirit of this ten-year-old girl was very humbling and, while this CD cannot change her plight, I hope it may go some way as a memento.”

N The CD is priced at £10 including postage and packaging and is available by sending a cheque made payable to D Goldblatt to 64, Boreham Holt, Elstree, Herts WD6 3QQ.

A note stating that the money is for the Acoustic Quo-tes CD along with the name, address, contact number and e-mail address of the sender, should be included.

N Have you organised a fundraising bid in memory of a loved one? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.