WHILE thousands of music fans came together for a massive concert to raise funds for the Asian tsunami appeal on Saturday, Worcestershire residents continued to do their bit as well.

Twenty top names, including Eric Clapton, Jools Holland, The Manic Street Preachers and Charlotte Church took to the stage at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium for the seven-hour event on Saturday.

Generous Evening News readers, meanwhile, have so far raised more than £16,000 for the victims of the disaster that will go to Unicef, the United Nation's Children's Fund.

The donations will make a big difference to the lives of women and children across South Asia, who are in desperate need of aid.

The Boxing Day destruction has proved to be one of the biggest natural disasters ever seen.

It is believed to have killed at least 150,000 people - with Wichenford couple John and Annie Hofton being just two of those who appear to have lost their lives.

Hopes of finding the pair alive have faded since the hotel in which they were staying, in Kao Lak, Thailand, was washed away.

Mrs Hofton, aged 57, ran the fashion shop Tizzies in Belle Vue Terrace, Malvern, while Mr Hofton, 62, was a sales manager in Solihull.

The aftermath of the catastrophe will need to be dealt with for years to come and so the fund-raising needs to continue for a long time.

That is why the Evening News last week launched a "wishband" wristband appeal for people to continue to show their support.

The wristbands, which are currently on order from the Far East, will be a visible sign of support, embossed with : "Tsunami - Funding a Future."

We are urging people to buy a wristband, at a minimum donation of £1.50, and wear it with pride.

The Evening News has teamed up with Worcestershire County Council, The Chamber of Commerce, Cathedral Plaza and CrownGate shopping centre, to buy 15,000 wristbands. And if each band is sold for a minimum of £1.50, that's £22,500 to help rebuild the schools, hospitals and homes that were ravaged.

Make sure you don't miss out and order yours now. All you need to do is fill in the coupon below and send it to: Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.

Every penny of the money raised will go towards Unicef's long-term work.