REACT, the locally-based charity which gives help to families caring for terminally ill children at home, backed a huge winner last week when they visited Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium for a night's racing and dinner.

Jacky Sales, chair of React's Friends Committee, said: "The evening raised a massive amount - between £12,000 and £14,000 depending upon us receiving all the pledges that have been promised. We sold 140 tickets and had sponsors for five races plus a super raffle. After the costs involved of putting it on the charity should make £9,000."

Jacky, who lives in Chiswick, explained: "We are a small national charity based in Kew and operate with an events committee of only four members - myself, Vicky Andreas, Jan Doole and Emma Davies. There are only 80 friends' at present who come mainly from Richmond, Kingston, Kew, Chiswick, Hounslow and Isleworth, but we have a donor base of several thousands.

"We are now hoping to attract more members to our Friends Committee and would particularly like to hear from people who could help us to organise an event like the greyhound racing night. Alternatively, people could help by doing mail drops or some administration to ensure the success of future events.

"We have started a ladies luncheon club which will meet on May 5 and are also organising a quiz night for June.

"Last year React helped over 800 families by giving grants, and in the coming year we are aiming for 1,000."

Anyone interested in joining React should telephone Jacky on 0208 994 2091.