THE East Anglian Daily Times today says thank you to our readers – for helping us reach the halfway point in our CLIC Into Action appeal.We have now raised £25,000 for the appeal, which seeks to help East Anglian children suffering from cancer and leukaemia.

THE East Anglian Daily Times today says thank you to our readers – for helping us reach the halfway point in our CLIC Into Action appeal.

We have now raised £25,000 for the appeal, which seeks to help East Anglian children suffering from cancer and leukaemia.

That is a big step towards our final target of £50,000, which will all go towards funding a children's cancer nurse and a play specialist in East Anglian hospitals.

Michelle Gray, fund-raising manager for CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood) in the region, thanked everyone for their outpouring of support, and urged people to keep giving.

She said: "CLIC is extremely grateful to everyone for their support. To have got so far so quickly is absolutely remarkable and it is a credit to everybody at the East Anglian Daily Times and all your readership.

"We are well on the way to our target now, but there is still a way to go if we are to reach the £50,000 target.

"I would encourage people to keep digging deep in their pockets and keep giving, because every penny will go towards helping others in your community."

And this weekend will see another chance for our big-hearted readers to get involved in the appeal, with the spectacular BTexact/CLIC Summer Ball taking place near Ipswich.

The evening is being hosted by BTexact at Adastral Park, and will feature a life on a cruise ship theme.

Guests will be able to enjoy two hours of live entertainment from the Bullet Blues Band who are performing Sweet Home Chicago, a great Blues Brothers style show which should have everyone on their feet.

Guitarist Clive Burch will also play during the reception and the three course meal. And you can bid for some unique items in the charity auction with ITFC's Terry Baxter, the former BBC Radio Suffolk commentator, who is to be the auctioneer for the evening.

There will also be a raffle with some excellent prizes and to round off the night there will be a disco and dancing until 1am.

Tickets for the event cost £40 and are available from Debbie Noye, EADT Promotions Manager East Anglian Daily Times, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP41AN.

Please make cheques payable to Archant Suffolk.