A COMMUNITY is joining together to help guide dog puppy Star - with villagers using their own special talents to raise money to pay for her training.

A COMMUNITY is joining together to help guide dog puppy Star - with villagers using their own special talents to raise money to pay for her training.

Among those at Coddenham who are lending a hand is artist and illustrator Sandra Pond, who has painted a fantastic watercolour of the pup and which Evening Star readers now have the chance to own.

Sandra has given the painting to the Evening Star's Christmas appeal to auction.

The illustration - a watercolour painted on Schoellershamer 4R paper using kolinski sable brushes and Windsor and Newton artists watercolour paints - is the product of ten hours' dedicated work and is worth about £250.

“Everyone in the village was asked to use their talents for the appeal and so I decided to paint Star,” said Sandra.

Her picture shows Star sitting on a Hollywood-style star.

“I just thought it would be a bit quirky and there is a nice connection between the star, the puppy's name and the newspaper,” she said.

“It's a great appeal, really worthwhile and I hope it raises lots of money.”

Talented Sandra has worked as an artist for 30 years and is widely known for her finely detailed plant, wildlife and garden plan illustrations for the national press. She has also illustrated books on cookery, DIY, biology and sport for UK and international publishers.

Other members of the village are tomorrow taking part in a Crafts for Christmas event at Coddenham Community Centre between 11am and 4pm - the perfect chance to find festive gifts and raise funds for the appeal.

For food lovers, there will be homemade soup, chutneys, apple pie, Coddenham cheeses and cakes. There will also be a chance to buy jewellery, toys, and hand painted Christmas cards.

Children can have their faces painted and there will also be a raffle, with Christmas music played throughout the day.

Jan Rowsell, who has organised the event with a group of friends, said: “This is a tremendous appeal. We applaud the Star for backing such a fantastic appeal.

“The work of the guide dogs is so important.”

To bid for the painting, send details of what you would be prepared to pay to Richard Cornwell, Evening Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU. Don't forget to include your name and address and telephone number.

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 aim is to raise £10,000 to help with the cost of Star's training - and we want the whole community to get involved with the appeal.

Every penny and pound will count and ensure that the little puppy gets the best care and training as she is prepared to do the job of guiding someone who lives with the blight of blindness.

If you are organising a fundraising event for the appeal 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.

Anyone with coppers can drop them off at either the Felixstowe or Ipswich offices of the Evening Star.