TALENTED amateur thespians have clubbed together to raise more than £100 for an Evening News appeal to help premature babies.

When a member of the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society read about the Evening News' Tiny Tots Appeal the group decided they wanted to dig deep and help the cause.

The appeal was launched on Wednesday, December 1, and aims to raise thousands of pounds to fund life-saving machinery for Worcestershire Royal Hospital's neo-natal unit, which cares for seriously-ill premature babies.

Sylvia Craddock, president of WODS, said: "We held our Christmas draw and one of our committee members suggested that we send the money from it to the Tiny Tots Appeal because it is such a worthwhile cause and we wanted to do something to help."

She said that youngsters from the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Youth Society, also played a part in raising the £115.

"They did a rehearsal for their parents and asked them to chip in too, so this donation has come from everyone involved in both societies," added Sylvia.

The donation means the appeal has raised almost £2,000 in just over two weeks, with more than 50 kind-hearted county residents pledging their cash to the cause.

Last week the Evening News reported how Bushwhackers resident DJ Fran Sheridan had donated £1,000 to the appeal as a way of saying "thank you" to the nurses and doctors at the former Ronkswood Hospital special babies unit. They helped save his life when he was born with a rare blood disorder.

Now Fran is determined to raise even more cash to give the premature babies a fighting chance this Christmas.

The Courtyard, in St Nicholas Street, and Bushwhackers, in Trinity Street, both in Worcester city centre, have joined forces to hold a fund-raising night in aid of the Tiny Tots Appeal.

"We're having a party on Monday, December 27, for all the people who work for the emergency services," said Fran.

"Entrance will be free as long as they show us either their NHS, fire service or police badges and in return we are asking them to make a donation to the appeal."

The evening will start at 8pm at the Courtyard and continues at Bushwhackers until 2am.

If you would like to make a donation to the appeal, fill in the coupon below and send a cheque or postal order to the hospital's charitable funds department.

Alternatively, you can visit the cashier in the main entrance of the hospital and make a cash donation to the Tiny Tots Appeal.

Are you having a fund-raising event for the appeal or do you want to share your happy story about the neo-natal unit? Call Evening News health reporter Emma Cullwick, on 01905 742254.