THE Lydia Cross appeal was given a huge boost last week, by a band of fervent bridge players.

The event, organised by Rosemary Caddick, of Argyle Drive, Chippenham, was held at the Masonic Hall in Emery Lane on Wednesday and attracted 80 entrants.

And the cards were definitely favourable, as their efforts raised £1,200 for the appeal.

"It was a great success," said Mrs Caddick.

"But thanks go to so many people who contributed to its success.

"Some people made and gave home made cakes or gave gifts to the raffle, plus so many others gave their time to make sure the event ran smoothly and on time.

"Even those who couldn't make it sent donations," she added. "And special mention should also be made of the Freemasons, who not only provided free use of the excellent facilities at the Masonic Hall but also gave £150 from their own funds."

While the card players did their deals, Chippenham Rotary and Inner Wheel also came up trumps donating £100 to the appeal.

Sainsbury's in Bath Road gave the provisions for the event tea and Safeway and Iceland also gave prizes.

Winners on the day included Dorothy and Mike Windeatt from Seagry and there were also prizes for best slam and booby prizes.

The beneficiary of all the players' hard work, is four-year-old Lydia Cross, of Chippenham.

Lydia suffered the amputation of both her legs below the knee in December, after developing septicaemia following the HIB virus.

Last month, she was fitted with a pair of the very latest prosthetic legs.

But her parents Tony and Jodie, who live in Chippenham, have been told that it will cost £12,000 a year for her continued treatment and for new legs as she grows.

The Gazette is aiming to raise as much money as possible for Lydia, starting with the £12,000 needed to fund her treatment next year.

We launched a Lydia Cross Appeal account at Lloyds bank in January and Mrs Caddick is one of a host of individuals and groups who have rushed to be involved with the fundraising.

Mrs Caddick said: "My friends and I were deeply touched by Lydia's plight and wanted to do something to help her.

"We are keen bridge players and thought it would be wonderful to organise a drive to raise some money but we did not expect to raise as much as we did."

With the bridge drive funds now deposited in the bank, the Lydia Cross account now stands at £9,700

But please keep the donations and fundraising ideas coming in.

The Mill House pub in Bath Road, Chippenham, which has chosen Lydia as the beneficiary for a year of fundraising events, is holding a firewalk on June 4 and is looking for volunteers to take part.

For more details and registration forms, please contact the pub manager, Sally Borgman on (01249) 446474, or call in.

Or if you are organising an event of your own for Lydia, please let us know by contacting Debbie Waite on (01249) 654422 or e-mailing dwaite@newswilts.co.uk

Cheques and cash donations can also be sent to the Lydia Cross Appeal via the Gazette & Herald, 31 Market Place, Chippenham, SN15 3HP.

Or simply deposit money straight into the appeal account at Lloyds bank, High Street, Chippenham, quoting sort code 30-91-99 account number 3091761.