Good causes across Sussex will be Quids In with a little help from the business community.

No company is too big or small to take part in a new joint fund-raising effort in aid of The Argus Appeal and The Martlets Hospice, Hove.

Both charities are urging employers to take part in Quids In from Monday, September 22, to Friday, September 26.

Companies will be sent a collection box and every worker asked to donate at least £1.

Any business, as well as schools and colleges, can take part and make donating more fun by holding their own money-spinning event, such as a dress-down or even fancy dress day. There will even be prizes for the wackiest idea.

Those who are unable to take part but still want to help can simply ask employees to donate money, or just send a cheque made out to The Argus Appeal, Quids In.

Every penny will be divided between The Argus Appeal and The Martlets Hospice.

The Argus Appeal, now in its 46th year, is a non-specific charity, supporting individuals in need across Sussex and schools, day centres, community projects and schemes.

It is sponsored by Legal & General and those it has helped so far this year include East Sussex Association for the Blind in Herstmonceux; the Silver Jay Stroke Club in Crawley and Newick House School, Burgess Hill.

Martlets Hospice, which relies on fund-raising to survive, provides a supportive environment for people facing life-threatening illnesses and offers bereavement support.

It opened in 1997 and includes an 18-bed inpatient unit, a day hospice and family support service.

This is the first year of Quids In and Elsa Gillio of The Argus Appeal hopes it will become an annual event.

She said: "I hope Quids In is going to be great fun.

"I hope it is going to be a nice way for everybody to support their community. We guarantee every penny will go to those in need.

"The Argus Appeal receives requests for the benefit of individuals and organisations daily and we can only give out what we bring in."

Howard Scott, managing director of Newsquest (Sussex) Ltd and chairman of The Argus Appeal, said: "I am delighted The Argus Appeal and the Martlets are working together.

"The Quids In fund-raiser is so simple for local businesses and organisations to take part in and, by doing so, make a real difference to those most in need."

Peter Rowbottom, corporate and community fund-raiser at Martlets, said: "The Martlets Hospice is your local hospice and we rely heavily on the support of the local community in order to help fund the essential services that we provide.

"Martlets needs to raise a staggering £2.5million from charitable activity alone this year. Please encourage your colleagues to take part and put Quids In to our collection tins."

Companies taking part so far include Legal & General in Hove; building company Llewellyn in Portslade and The Telemarketing Company in Brighton.

Nic Clark, of Llewellyn, said: "It gives the staff the opportunity to have a dress-down day which is good for morale and gets them ready for the weekend."

Sarah Wright, spokeswoman for Legal & General, said: "We'll be asking employees at the Hove office to donate £1 to wear their jeans to work on Friday, September 26 as well as holding a raffle to raise funds."

Wednesday September 10, 2003