Money given by big hearted Evening Advertiser readers to help the children of Iraq will undoubtedly help save lives.

Among the aid the cash will help provide will be clean drinking water for the thousands of innocent children caught up in the horror of the latest Gulf war.

I recently visited Basra in the south of Iraq and saw for myself how desperately clean water is needed.

There were fears that the city was facing a cholera epidemic brought about by people having to drink dirty water.

And everywhere I went crowds of children pleaded for water.

I watched as tankers backed up to dirty rivers and ditches to pump out water, which is then delivered to the people as their only supply of water for drinking, cooking and washing.

The potential for the spread of a variety of diseases and diarrhoea, particularly among the more vulnerable children, is frightening.

The Coalition forces, who are now trying to bring about stability in the country have made the supply of clean water their number one priority.

But it is going to take time and of course a great deal of money.

And that's where the UNICEF appeal can help. Already the leading UN agency for water and sanitation, is working flat out to improve conditions, but they need your help.

Money from the emergency appeal will also be used to buy desperately needed food and medicine for the children of Iraq.

Every pound given to the fund will help improve the life of an innocent child. To help please send your donation with the form attached to Evening Advertiser/UNICEF Iraq Children's Appeal, FREEPOST, Chelmsford, CM2 8BR.