A PLANT and tool hire company has continued to show its support for the Covert appeal with a cash donation.

Employees at Hire-It! - which sold our special Operation Covert badges and stickers - pledged cash to the appeal instead of sending Christmas cards to each other.

The firm also put money into the kitty that it had saved on sending seasonal greetings to clients, boosting our appeal by £170.

Fiona Davies, co-owner of the Worcester Road firm, said: "We have all had children who visited Rhydd Covert and we have got lads who work for us who used it when they were young and have children who are using it now and so we all thought it was a good cause."

The firm also raised cash for the Millbrook Suite at Kidderminster Hospital during 2003.

"We like to support local charities for our Christmas card appeal," Mrs Davies said.

The firm also stocked car stickers and sew-on badges specially made to support Operation Covert.

Staff at Wyre Forest District Council also sacrificed greeting one another with Christmas cards to raise cash for the appeal.

Employees who work at the Civic Centre in Stourport raised £43 in the run-up to Christmas.