GAZETTE readers are being urged to get festive and help fundraise for the newspaper's charity of the year campaign.

The Gazette needs to raise just a further £10,000 for Meningitis UK before it hits the campaign’s target of £40,000.

This amount will fund the work of a vaccine researcher for a whole year and take a step closer to finding a vaccine for the most common strain of the disease, meningitis group B.

A variety of fun and easy fundraising ideas have been suggested by Meningitis UK in the hope that local businesses, schools and community groups will get behind the campaign for this final push towards the target.

Steve Dayman, chief executive of Meningitis UK, said: "We've seen huge support for the Gazette's campaign so far and readers have helped us raise a fantastic £30,000.

"We've come up with a range of festive fundraising ideas and hope people will feel inspired to help raise the final £10,000.

"Our fundraisers are on hand if you need any advice and we're only too happy to provide you with lots of helpful hints and fundraising material.

"Every penny raised will go towards our single focus - to find a vaccine to eradicate all forms meningitis."

Here are some ways in which readers can get involved over the next few months: * Have a dress down day at work or school and ask for small donations in return.

* Make a donation to the campaign in lieu of sending Christmas cards.

* Organise a raffle at your Christmas party.

* Hold a festive coffee morning with mince pies and homemade cakes.

* Pubs could give a percentage of New Year's Eve ticket sales to the campaign or hold a collection.

* Organise a Christmas-themed quiz with friends, asking for a small entry fee.

* Order Christmas cards via the Meningitis UK website.

Other ideas include having a collection box, bag packing at your local supermarket, or taking part in a sponsored event - from cycle rides to walks.

Meningitis UK has also launched a new initiative called Dinner 4 Good whereby people organise a dinner party in return for donations. Endless fundraising ideas are available on the Meningitis UK website www.meningitisuk.org The Meningitis UK fundraising team are always on hand to help and can be contacted on 0117 373 7373 or by emailing fundraising@meningitisuk.org The Gazette promises to give every event held in support of this campaign plenty of publicity.