THE Evening News today begins a massive campaign to help rebuild the lives of the millions of people devastated by the Asian tsunami disaster.

The public's response to this emergency has already been historic, beating all previous appeals in terms of money pledged and offers of assistance.

But the aftermath of this huge catastrophe will need to be dealt with for years to come and so the fund-raising needs to continue for a long time.

That is why the Evening News is launching a wristband for people to continue to show their support.

The wristbands, which are currently on order from the Far East, will be a visible sign of support, embossed with the words, "Tsunami - Funding a Future."

We are urging people to buy a wristband, at a minimum donation of £1.50, and wear it with pride.

A host of celebrities are pledging their support to the campaign, including GMTV presenter, Eamonn Holmes.

"So many of us want to give a hand to those whose lives were wrecked. What about giving a wrist instead? I'm happy to wear a wristband. It's the least I can do."

The Evening News has teamed up with Worcestershire County Council, The Chamber of Commerce, Cathedral Plaza and CrownGate shopping centre, to buy 15,000 wristbands. And if each band is sold for a minimum of £1.50, that's a staggering £22,500 to help rebuild the schools, hospitals and homes that were ravaged on Boxing Day.

The idea of the wristbands follows the success of BBC Radio One's bullying awareness wristband campaign and the Live Strong cancer awareness wristband, which sold in their millions.