A BLACKWOOD woman has helped raise an additional £8,000 for Velindre Hospital through a knitted toy chick appeal.

Bev Parry, of Pontllanfraith, has got more than 40 people on board since November to help her knit around 11,000 tiny chicks.

A small chocolate egg is then placed in each chick which are sold for £1 each.

Through sales of the chicks, £8,452 has so far been raised.

The Argus reported in November how Ms Parry had previously knitted more than 20,000 chicks for the appeal raising £20,000 after starting to knit the fluffy toys 16 years ago.

The appeal was relaunched last summer to try to raise more funds and is the brainchild of Caerphilly’s Julie Smith, who started the campaign to take her mind off her illness when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1992 and 1996.

She is now in remission after having a stem-cell bone marrow transplant at Easter in 1997.

Around 900 people from all over the world currently contribute to the appeal, which has so far raised more than £970,000.

The appeal is now looking for people to help with their Christmas time knit appeal which is calling on people to knit small festive items including snowmen and Christmas puddings.

To help with the appeal contact Ms Smith on 02920 196860 or Ms Parry on 07927053418.