SOME toddled, some walked and some jogged, but all of the children taking part in the sponsored run had the same goal - to raise money for the victims of Dunblane.

Caring youngsters aged from two to 14, from the Mill Hill area of Blackburn, made three circuits of the track at Witton Park to collect cash for the families of the children murdered more than a week ago.

Kirsty Eccles, 12, of Mill Hill Street, Blackburn, decided to hold the run and gathered support from her friends and neighbours.

They are already well on their way to collecting £1,000 and are hoping to better this target by Easter Sunday, when they hold a grand raffle and auction at The Station Hotel, Preston Old Road, Blackburn.

Pupils at St Peter's School, Blackburn, have also been raising money for Dunblane, collecting more than £10 when they donated their pocket money instead of buying crisps during their break.

Members of St Peter's Church and members of Weight Watchers, in Tontine Street, Blackburn, are also among the groups holding collections.

Kirsty's mother Angela, said: "The tragedy at Dunblane has really touched a lot of people. We have been given raffle prizes and donations from nearly all the shops in Mill Hill and we want to thank everyone for all their support."

Anyone wanting to donate money can do so at any branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, by quoting sort code 83-07-06, and account number 00775382, or by writing to the Stirling Observer, 40 Craigs, Stirling, FK8 2DN.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.