WITH twelfth night now passed, the decorations should be down and packed away - and its time to recycle the Christmas cards.

Richard Cornwell

WITH twelfth night now passed, the decorations should be down and packed away - and its time to recycle the Christmas cards.

This year people can make good use of their old cards - by helping to raise money for the Evening Star appeal to pay for the training of guide dog puppy Star.

Cards can be deposited in the Treasure Boxes run by the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity.

A number of organisations, businesses and schools have the boxes - including the Evening Star office in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, where cards can be delivered.

Penny Parker, of the East and Mid Suffolk fundraising group, said: “This is a great opportunity for us to boost our fundraising.

“People often wonder what to do with their old Christmas cards - they don't want to just throw them away and this way they can recycle them and help a really good cause.

“We hope we will be swamped with cards!”

The Treasure Boxes can also be used for other unwanted items suitable for recycling:

- Jewellery - old or new jewellery from a single earring to a modern plastic necklace. In any condition, broken, outdated or simply no longer wanted.

- Watches - from a Rolex or cheap copies to a free plastic watch. Metal, leather or plastic straps, or without straps. Pocket watches, bracelet watches, novelty watches.

- Keys - any old or surplus keys no longer required can be recycled for their metal content.

- Mobile phones - working or broken, any age or make. Please remember to remove the SIM card before donating.

- Coins or bank notes - any old British coins - the big 50p, 10p, 5p, etc no longer used - or left over foreign holiday currency.

The appeal has so far raised more than �16,000 - enough to pay for the breeding and training of not just Star, but also a second guide dog, which will be born this year and called Hope.

- Has your family been helped by the Guide Dogs - tell us your stories about this amazing charity: write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk

HOW TO GET INVOLVED . . .

The fundraising for the vital work of Guide Dogs continues - as we aim to raise as much as possible for the charity's work.

We want the whole community to get involved and if you are organising a fundraising event for the appeal, then we want to hear so we can give it maximum publicity and help boost the amount raised.

So let us know what you are up to - get in touch with Richard Cornwell at the Felixstowe Newsdesk on 01394 284109 or the Ipswich Newsdesk on 01473 324788.

To donate to the appeal, please send cheques - made payable to the Guide Dogs - to Richard Cornwell, Evening Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU.