What a tonic!

Your community-minded Citizen is backing the campaign which provides support and donates gifts to Fylde children in special circumstances in medical and welfare situations.

This week, campaign organiser Joe Curran hot-footed it to Blackpool Victoria Hospital's Berry Ward to donate a very special Bugs Bunny which was given to The Citizen by Mecca Bingo on Blackpool's Talbot Road for promotional purposes.

And to have a bit of a rabbit with the staff and children. They were all ears!

Senior nurse Pauline Wilson said: "This is fantastic, but we'll probably have to raffle it or something as it's full of polystyrene and so not 'fire safe' for the ward.

"It will really help in the campaign though. Care For Kids has been fundraising for us regularly and bringing in much needed fans and toys for the paediatric unit which consists of four children's wards.

"Joe asked us to draw up a wish list and it just keeps growing. Right now we need loads of games and videos and one of those combined TV and video units would be wonderful.

"But I would like to say thank you to the community, to Joe and The Citizen for what they have done already and to say the children really do benefit from everything they receive."

Campaign organiser and local DJ Joe said: "This isn't just about toys and luxury items -- this is about very necessary equipment like bed linen which we all know the NHS should provide but doesn't.

"But this isn't a political issue and the bottom line is that kids need bedding and we are going to provide it.

"We are also on board with three local children's homes and will be donating Christmas toys to them. So please keep the donations coming and give every child across the Fylde coast the perfect Christmas present."

Send you cheques or postal orders made out to Care For Kids to:

Citizen Care For Kids Christmas Appeal, The Citizen, St Annes Buildings, Clifton Drive North, St Annes, FY8 2NA.