THE Evening Press is calling on the people of York and North and East Yorkshire to help ease the suffering of innocent children in Iraq.

Together with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), we have launched a campaign to improve the lives of an entire generation of Iraqi children, caught up in the catastrophe of war. Our special appeal gives people the chance to make donations or to organise fundraising events.

Louis Coles, regional fundraising manager for UNICEF, said: "We have an emergency on our hands now. Our actions in the next few weeks will determine the physical and mental well-being of a generation of Iraqi children."

Iraq's children need emergency relief that will bolster their health - immunisation, food supplies and continuous access to safe water and sanitation.

Louis added: "There are so many ways people can get involved. People can fundraise at work, in their church or school by organising an event or simply by holding a collection.

"Unicef can provide ideas for fundraising as well as promotional materials like posters, stickers and balloons.

"We have a special fundraising pack full of ideas and information about what is available, which is also available on our fundraising website at www.unicef.org.uk/iraqappeal."

For information about organising a fundraising event, telephone 0114 251 7092

Updated: 09:14 Monday, April 14, 2003