HOLDING your tongue could do wonders for a North-East campaign to improve cancer care.

Inspired by the efforts of just one infant school last year the County Durham Macmillan Appeal fundraising committee is appealing to all local schools to follow suit.

The County Durham Macmillan Appeal aims to raise £600,000 to dramatically increase the level of services for cancer patients and their families.

While fund-raising is going well, with £130,000 in the kitty, the campaign needs to go up a gear.

Now the fundraisers have hit on the idea of getting hundreds of schools in County Durham involved by holding ten minute sponsored silences.

While it is a national event the cash will stay in the area if schools nominate local schemes.

A year ago the children of Consett Infants' School and Nursery Unit joined in Macmillan Cancer Relief's annual 'Hold Your Tongue' Challenge.

They asked their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends to sponsor them and then they sat on the floor in perfect silence for 10 minutes.

The nursery children listened to a story, while music was played for the infants.

As a result they raised the magnificent sum of £952.50, which they presented to Macmillan's County Durham Appeal.

This was the first big donation the County Durham Appeal received, and Appeal managers Caroline Peacock and Caroline Broadfoot both went along to receive the cheque.

This year the children are undertaking the challenge again. On Friday 8th March they, and many other schools in County Durham, will 'hold their tongues' to help raise money for cancer patients in the region.

"We want to know. Can any school break through the £1,000 barrier and beat the children in Consett," said Caroline Peacock.

Macmillan's target in Durham is to raise £600,000 over the next three years to provide a consultant in palliative care and two additional Macmillan nurses. After the three years, the NHS will continue funding the posts for the long term.

If your school has not yet signed up for the 'Hold Your Tongue' Challenge, there is still time. Please call 0845 601 1716 or e-mail hyt2002@mktpoint.com

Remember to nominate the County Durham Appeal to receive the funds you raise. The appeal office is contactable on (0191) 3709798.

Updated : 19:15, 12/02/02