Every little bit helps, says famous patron; UGANDA CHANGE A LIFE APPEAL.

FIONA CASTLE, the widow of Record Breakers' star Roy Castle, has called on Evening Telegraph readers to back our appeal to send practical aid to destitute and displaced children in Uganda.

This week, the Evening Telegraph and Global Care launched an appeal to send a 40ft shipping container full of clothing, toiletries and educational material, to children in the war-torn rural region of Soroti.

The area has been plagued over the years by rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army, who have pillaged and torched many villages, stolen crops and cattle and raped and killed innocent civilians.

The township has more than 90,000 displaced people in it, including thousands of children who have been orphaned or separated from their family.

Mrs Castle, 64, whose entertainer husband died of lung cancer in 1994, has visited many of Global Care's projects around the world in her role as patron of the Coventry-based charity.

Roy, famous for his tap-dancing and trumpet-playing, did some fundraising work with Global Care before he died, and his widow took an interest in the charity after his death.

Mrs Castle said: "I have seen at first hand Global Care's remarkable work, giving hope and a future to some of the most needy and vulnerable children on our planet.

"Its track record shows that even relatively small projects can make a massive difference.

"I know this project in Soroti will already be making an immeasurable difference to the lives of the children being supported by Global Care, and I am delighted to hear the Coventry Evening Telegraph is supporting it, by launching this marvellous campaign.

"I wholeheartedly recommend this appeal to the people of Coventry and Warwickshire - it is a unique opportunity to help Soroti's children in a very practical way.

"These children have suffered more than most of us will experience in a lifetime and everything you donate goes a little bit further to making their future more positive and more secure."

Mrs Castle has recently visited projects in India, Romania, Sri Lanka and Thailand and was awarded an OBE in the Queen's birthday honours list this year.

Ron Newby, chief executive of Global Care, who was himself made an MBE in 1999, said: "Fiona's work for us has been magnificent. She speaks with conviction and integrity, especially after self-financing a tour to many of our projects in South-east Asia."

How you can help these children in need

WHAT THEY NEED:

T-shirts, shorts and shoes for boys aged between seven and 15.

Dresses, blouses, skirts and shoes for girls aged between seven and 15.

Toiletries: Bars of soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes.

School materials: Pencils, packs of coloured pencils, erasers, rulers, pens (simple ballpoints) and exercise books.

WHERE TO TAKE IT:

Evening Telegraph offices in Corporation Street, Coventry.

Global Care charity shops in Quinton Road, Cheylesmore; Leicester Road, Bulkington; and Dugdale Road, Radford.

For large group collections, phone Global Care on 024 7660 1800.

People are also kindly asked if they can tape a pounds 1 or pounds 2 coin to the bags to help with costs.

CAPTION(S):

GOOD CAUSE: A few clothes, toiletries and school items would make a tremendous difference to kiddies like these - and our appeal offers the chance to help in a direct and practical ways, says Fiona Castle (inset)