NIGHTSPOTS are set to boost the York Aid appeal for victims of the tsunami disaster by thousands, thanks to a united fundraising drive.

Thirty city centre bars are selling tickets for the Asia Needs You prize draw, which was launched two weeks ago, and had raised more than £4,500 before this weekend's takings had been added.

There are 85 prizes worth an average of £50 to £80 up for grabs in the £1-a-ticket raffle, ranging from weekend hotel breaks and meals for two to a DVD player and music vouchers.

All have been generously donated by local and national businesses, while other firms have helped out by supplying T-shirts, printing and prizes for top collectors.

The main organiser, Matt Aconley, of Kennedy's Caf-Bar, in Little Stonegate, said: "It has been a good effort, but the total will be a lot more if I have anything to do with it."

Bars have been employing a variety of tactics to boost the appeal. Leading the ticket sales is one of the smaller participants, the Judges Lodgings, in Lendal, which has sold more than 400 to customers.

Others such as Orgasmic, in Coney Street, have increased their total by asking customers to make a voluntary donation on entry on weekends and pooling their tips, raising more than £750.

The big draw is taking place at Kennedy's, at 10pm, on Sunday, at a free event which will include music from covers band The Mothers.

Meanwhile, the York Aid appeal continues to grow, after passing the £50,000 mark last week.

Latest donations include £1,000 from York Test Labs; £1,000 from Hague & Dixon; £500 from Helmsley Acceptances Ltd; and £500 from Sir Donald Barron, former chairman of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

A further £500 has come from City of York Council's Liberal Democrat members, and staff from Mulberry Hall gave £189.50.

Pupils at Bootham School raised cash by ditching their usual casual appearance and wearing ties. Deputy head teacher Graham Ralph, who came up with the idea, said: "Teaching geography and the issues of a shrinking world, the theme is ties, and the ties that bind us to our global neighbours, so it's a timely reminder to us of the wider world of which we are a part."

How you can help

Donations can be made in person at the City Finance Office, in Library Square, between 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Cash, cheques and postal orders, and debit card payments will be accepted.

Alternatively, you can send a cheque or postal order, made payable to City of York Council, to: City Finance Office, Library Square, York YO1 7DU. Please write "Disaster appeal" on the back. Do not send cash.

Any interest accrued from donations will also go to the appeal.

Updated: 09:53 Monday, January 24, 2005