OUR appeal to raise £50,000 to save the Accrington Pals Memorial Chapel, housed in the beautiful and historic St John’s Church, is rapidly approaching the half-way mark.

It currently stands at £22,364 after a number of donations were received this week.

The largest was £500 donated in memory of Lillian Bridge – and we are urging other bereaved readers to consider accepting donations for the appeal in lieu of flowers.

There was also an anonymous donation of £100 in memory of Tom, Ada and Freda Thurman and £20 from Martin Barnes of Sparth Road, Clayton-le-Moors.

Other cash came the sale of CDs, cards and key rings.

l A reminder that the famous Fireside Fusiliers are giving a bonanza of music and comedy at Park View Working Men’s Club in Clayton-le-Moors at 8pm next Friday.

It will include folk songs, rocks songs, poetry and comedy sketches.

Tickets are available in advance from Park View for £3 or they can be bought on the door.

l Don’t forget to buy your tickets for a Valentine’s rock night being held in the Brooks Club, Accrington, on Saturday 16 February. It is being organised by Accrington Motorcycle Club and will feature live music by Freebird and a prize-packed raffle.

Tickets costing £5 can be bought in advance from the Hope and Anchor pub on Whalley Road, Accrington, or by ringing club chairman Mick Priestley on 0786 672 4083.

l Cheques, made payable to St John’s Pals Fund, or cash can be handed in at the Observer offices at 103 Blackburn Road, Accring-ton. Unless requested otherwise, we will acknowledge all donations in the paper.

If you are planning a fund-raising event let us know by ringing 871444 and we will publicise it and arrange a photograph.

You can maximise your donations by using Gift Aid and standing order forms, which are both availanble from the church.

l Les Bond of the Fireside Fusiliers has asked us to point out that he gives talks on the Accrington Pals, not on St John’s Church, as we stated last week.