A SPORTS dinner and auction are set to raise thousands of pounds for the Let Them Play appeal.Greshams Sports and Social Club hold the event in aid of charity every year and have decided to donate this year's proceeds to the The Evening Star's Christmas appeal.

A SPORTS dinner and auction are set to raise thousands of pounds for the Let Them Play appeal.

Greshams Sports and Social Club hold the event in aid of charity every year and have decided to donate this year's proceeds to the The Evening Star's Christmas appeal.

Mark Calver, the club's financial director, said: “We always like to give the money to a charity that will help to benefit people locally and when I saw the appeal in the paper I thought it would be perfect.

“The board agreed and we've decided to donate all the money we raise this year to Let Them Play.”

The evening will feature a three-course meal, a talk from ex-West Ham players Tony Cottee and Tony Gale, and comedy from Al Benson.

There will also be a raffle and the club are hoping to organise an auction of sporting memorabilia.

A percentage of the ticket price, along with all proceeds from the raffle and auction will be given to Let Them Play.

The appeal is aiming to raise money to raise £30,000 to resurface the play area at Ipswich Hospital's children's wards.

Hidden in between buildings, many people may not even know it is there but the playground is a much-need healing tool for young patients and their parents.

For some youngsters it is their only taste of the outside world for many months.

It has not been resurfaced since 1988 and years of use by thousands of tiny feet have hardened up the ground, meaning that without an urgent revamp it could become too unsafe to use.

The dinner is to be held on Friday November 25 at 7pm for 7.45pm start. The club is in Tuddenham Road, Ipswich.

Tickets cost £35 each or you can book a table of ten for £350.

To book call Michael Brooks on 01473 281222.

The club will also be holding a fun day on Saturday November 19 to give members of the public a look at the facilities they have on offer. The centre will be open from 10am to 3pm.

If you would like to get involved with Let Them Play 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 01473 324791.