TWO anti-war protesters have put down their placards and thrown themselves into fund-raising for the children of war-torn Iraq.

Christine Allen and her daughter Deborah, aged 24, went to London in February to take part in the massive protest march against war on Iraq.

But when the war broke out, inspired by the joint Evening News-Unicef Children of Iraq appeal, they decided to make a positive difference to the lives of sick and injured children.

The pair have already set about holding and organising fund-raising events, and they hope to encourage others to follow the example.

"My daughter and I joined the

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From P1 / n protest march against war with Iraq because we believed that UK going to war against Iraq was not justified," said Christine, of Stainburn Close, St John's.

"When the war started, it was very depressing. But the appeal for funds by Unicef showed us how to make a different contribution to help the victims.

"We decided to do something positive rather than just be miserable about it."

They have raised £250 so far by holding raffles, selling Unicef cards and gifts and holding a party.

Their next venture is to hold a fund-raising event, a bring-and-buy sale at St John's Library on Saturday, May 10, from 10am to 2pm.

The 52-year-old, who works in the learning resources area of Worcester College of Technology, has been a supporter of Unicef for more than 15 years.

"Now I believe that the only humanitarian reaction is to become an active fund-raiser to help the victims of terrible hardships and deprivations," she said.

Christine would like to set up a fund-raising group for the Worcester area if she gets a good response to her charity work. She can be contacted on 01905 427940.

Unicef's regional fund-raising manager for the Midlands, Linda McCaughey, said more needed to be done to help Iraqi children.

"We have an emergency on our hands now," she said. "Our actions in the next few weeks will determine the physical and mental well-being of a generation of Iraqi children."