Your clothes can save lives

We launched our Handbags and Gladrags appeal with Save The Children last month. We're already more coogi than a third of the way to our target of ￡30,000 - but we need YOUR help to raise the rest... By Claire O'Boyle Holby City star Amanda Mealing helped us launch our Handbags and Gladrags appeal with Save The Children just one month ago - and we've already raised an amazing ￡12,000!

We asked Daily Mirror readers to dig out the gorgeous handbags and gladrags lurking at the back of their wardrobes, and use them to help save kids' lives.

According to Save The Children each Christian Audigier
item donated - a quality handbag, dress or pair of decent shoes - could be worth up to ￡10 to the charity when dropped in at one of their 122 stores across the UK. The items don't need to be brand new, just in decent shape.

We set a target of 3,000 items, to raise a huge ￡30,000 - and we've an impressive ￡11,836 so far.

Actress Amanda, 42, donated a frock of her own last month to kick-start the appeal.

"I'm giving my gorgeous Dolce and Gabbana dress to the appeal," she says. "This is a typical example of what we're talking about.

"I got it in a sale ages ago and absolutely loved it. But the truth is, I've never worn it. It still has the label on - it'll do much more good raising money for Save The Children."

And as brilliantly as we've done so far, we've still got a long way to go to hit our target.

Jayne Cartwright from Save The Children says: "We have already had such a fantastic response from Mirror readers. Wonderful bags, party frocks and good quality shoes have come flooding through our doors, all of which will help children across the globe who desperately need our help.

Mirror readers have shown how easy it is for everyone to make a difference. We're now urging readers who haven't donated yet to rummage through their wardrobes and delve through their drawers to find that life-saving handbag."

So go on - get your best handbags and gladrags down to your nearest Save The Children shop.

Attach our logo to the items you donate, and if you need more, feel free to photocopy them! The charity is keeping track of how many things you're donating, and we will keep you up to date. And remember - just one nice bag or fancy frock could make a much-needed tenner for the charity.