Companies are gearing up to pile on the pounds in the latest fund-raiser to help Sussex charities.

The Telemarketing Company is just one business which will be rattling the collection box around its offices for the Quids In appeal.

Quids In is a joint venture between The Argus Appeal and The Martlets Hospice in Hove.

It runs from Monday until Friday next week.

This is the first year of Quids In and every penny raised will be divided equally between the two charities.

Companies which are joining in the appeal will be sent a collection box and encouraged to ask each employee to donate at least £1.

There is still time to sign up and businesses, schools and colleges are being urged to take part.

To make fund-raising more fun, employees could have a dress down day, arrive to work in fancy dress or wear silly hats - just for price of donating £1.

Alternatively, companies can just ask employees to donate the money.

The Telemarketing Company, which already holds dress-down Fridays, will be asking people to put their hands in their pockets on Friday, September 26.

With more than 120 staff it hopes to raise at least £120 for Quids In.

Managing director Niall Habba said: "We are delighted to be supporting The Argus Appeal and The Martlets Hospice. All our staff will be happy to contribute.

"Quids In is easy to do. We hope other companies will sign up and take part."

Other businesses taking part so far include Llewellyn building firm, Portslade; Quod Restaurant and Bar, Brighton; Dragons Health Club, Hove; St Mary's School and Balfour Infant School, Hove; Co-operative Funeral Services, Newhaven; and The London Name Plate Manufacturing Company, Brighton.

Legal & General in Hove, which is the sponsor of The Argus Appeal, is also taking part and will be asking employees to donate £1 to wear their jeans to work on the Friday. It is also holding a raffle.

The Argus Appeal, now in its 46th year, is a non-specific charity which supports individuals in need across Sussex and schools, day centres, community projects and schemes.

Those it has helped so far this year include East Sussex Association for the Blind in Herstmonceux; the Silver Jay Stroke Club in Crawley and Newick House School, Burgess Hill.

The Martlets Hospice, which relies on fund-raising, provides a supportive environment for people facing life-threatening illnesses and offers bereavement counselling.

It opened in 1997 and includes an 18-bed in-patient unit, a day hospice and family support service.

Peter Rowbottom, corporate and community fund-raiser at the hospice, said: "This is a simple yet effective way for local people to support two local charities."

Elsa Gillio of The Argus Appeal hopes Quids In will become an annual event.

She said: "It will be great fun. We guarantee every penny will go to those in need."

Wednesday September 17, 2003