A HUGE thank you today goes out to Evening Star readers who have supported our Christmas fundraising appeal by making donations.In just two postal deliveries we received all these cheques and more have followed since - which goes to show the public has already taken the appeal to its heart.

A HUGE thank you today goes out to Evening Star readers who have supported our Christmas fundraising appeal by making donations.

In just two postal deliveries we received all these cheques and more have followed since - which goes to show the public has already taken the appeal to its heart.

The donations ranged from £5 to £100 and every penny counts and is gratefully received.

Launched last Tuesday, The Lifesaver: Evening Star Christmas Appeal 2006 aims to raise £22,000 for a cardiac ultrasound machine for Ipswich Hospital's accident and emergency department.

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

Already hundreds of pounds have come in, giving a huge boost to the appeal, but there is still a long way to go.

Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “This piece of equipment will be a great help to staff at the A&E department - it will quite literally save lives and will enable doctors and nurses to diagnose straight away those who are facing life-threatening heart problems.

“We always knew that our wonderfully generous readers would be keen to support this appeal, and it is great to see the money coming in so quickly.”

To support the campaign members of the East of England Co-operative Society can help by quoting the dividend number 977 at the till,

The dividend payable on all purchases will go to the appeal. Last Christmas a huge £5,000 donation was given by the Co-op to our Let Them Play appeal which raised £30,000 to refurbish the play area for children being treated at Ipswich Hospital.