YOU'VE already done it – and now you've doubled it.In February 2003, the EADT launched a campaign to raise £50,000 for the charity Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood (CLIC).

YOU'VE already done it - and now you've doubled it.

In February 2003, the EADT launched a campaign to raise £50,000 for the charity Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood (CLIC).

But that total was smashed in just a matter of months - and now unbelievably your fundraising efforts have soared through the £100,000 barrier.

Among an amazing range of outlandish moneymaking ventures, you have cycled across countries, walked up mountains and abseiled from dizzying heights.

You have done us, yourselves and the region proud - and now all that remains is for us to say a big thank-you.

The money will fund a children's cancer and leukaemia nurse and play specialist at hospitals in the region for two years - a whole 12 months more than we originally hoped.

Michelle Gray, fundraising manager for CLIC East, based in Bury St Edmunds, said the whole appeal had been fantastic.

"I was confident, but I was extremely astounded to have reached the £50,000 so quickly, within five months," she added.

"By the time the appeal finished at the end of last year we had already reached £62,000 and money was still coming in.

"To have got to double the amount that was targeted is just amazing."

Although she is astounded by the appeal's success, Mrs Gray hinted that she had an idea why the campaign touched a nerve with our readers.

"The three main things that people wish to support are children, cancer and animals," she said. "CLIC has the ability to touch people very deeply because we deal with cancer and children.

"Once they hear what we do, I don't think people want to do anything other than support us because they see what a difference we make.

"Even though the appeal has officially finished the interest that has been generated for CLIC as a whole has been immeasurable.

"I'm getting correspondence from areas that I honestly believe would not have happened if it wasn't for the appeal."

Mrs Gray continued: "I just want to say a huge thank-you to everyone for their generosity. EADT readers need to realise that they really have made a huge difference.

"Every single pound that they have donated has gone to where they wanted it to go. It has made a real difference to lives.

"The appeal may have finished but people need to remember that we do rely entirely on voluntary donations - so please don't stop that support."

Terry Hunt, EADT editor, said: "When we launched the campaign, we thought £50,000 might be a little ambitious - so to reach that initial target, and then go on to double it, is absolutely brilliant.

"It demonstrates yet again just how generous our readers are when it comes to supporting an excellent cause.

"This money really will make such a difference to lots of children who really do need support at a difficult time."