A GROUP of friends have given up a theatre trip to London and donated the money instead to the Evening Star's Christmas appeal.

A GROUP of friends have given up a theatre trip to London and donated the money instead to the Evening Star's Christmas appeal.

After reading how we are aiming to raise £10,000 to pay for the training of guide dog puppy Star, the group were so moved they decided to give the £620 they had saved together for the trip.

They left the money anonymously in a brown envelope with a short note at our Felixstowe office.

Puppy walker Penny Parker, who is looking after little Star for her first year, was overcome by the group's generosity - and has offered them an alternative trip to the theatre instead.

She said: “I think this donation is amazing, it's really sweet of them.

“The appeal is growing and it's down to the fantastic help and kindness of so many generous people.”

Mrs Parker said the group were welcome to come to the 1st Old Felixstowe Brownies' panto A Missing Star, in which Star the puppy has an important role.

A note left with the money said: “A group of friends and myself were going on a theatre trip to London, but after reading your appeal in the Evening Star for donations for guide dogs we decided the money would be better spent by helping you.”

If the group would like to contact The Evening Star's Felixstowe office, totally privately, we could arrange for them to meet Star if they would like and would respect their privacy and anonymity, and also organise the Brownie show tickets if they would like.

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 get the best care and training as she is prepared to do the job of guiding someone who lives every day of their lives with the blight of blindness.

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.