ONE of the world's biggest performers is lending her support to our Christmas Appeal.

This year we're joining forces with Children of Peace, and we have a very special backer in world-famous singer, Madonna.

According to charity founder, Richard Martin, she and fellow patrons of the good cause - which provides education and relief to deprived children of all backgrounds in the region - are backing the campaign to spread a bit of festive joy in the Middle East.

The Rotary Club of Hereford is also onboard, and they'll be helping with the collection for the fortnight.

We need blankets, kids clothing, tinned food (but not pork), stationery and other children's items, which will be sent to Gaza in time for Christmas. And with less than a week to go before the collection begins, here's why it needs to be done.

* A humanitarian crisis is a real worry in Gaza, especially as 60% of its 1.5m population is under 18.

* 1m are classified as refugees, and 80% are dependent on aid.

* 35% of families live in "deep poverty and earn less than $470 a year.

* 13% of children are so malnourished that their growth is stunted.

The Children of Peace's Gaza Emergency Appeal aims to address this by filling a Chadds lorry full of goods.

The lorry will be parked outside the West Door of Hereford Cathedral between 10am and 4pm from December 11 to 15, but it's never too early to help.

If you have any items, or want to help out with the delivery costs - the container and transportation bills are set at £5,000 - then box it up and bring it down.

Alternatively, if you want to help out further, contact joint-organiser Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes on 01432 274289 or Paul Ferguson at the Hereford Times on 01432 845879.