A GALAXY of stars will be lending their support at one of the biggest parties the town has seen.

The glittering array of celebrities, including Another Level singer Dane and his model girlfriend Jordan, actress Susan Hampshire, actor Russell Floyd and gameshow host Bradley Walsh, to name but a few, will be joining in some festive fun at the launch of this year's Argus Christmas Appeal.

Forget the autumn blues, it is time to get ready for the Christmas sparkle and dig deep into your pockets to help charities across the county enjoy the festivities.

Russell Floyd, who plays Michael Rose in EastEnders, is kept busy with a hectic filming schedule for the top soap, particularly with its current story line, but has still found time to put his full weight behind our fund-raising efforts.

He said: "The Argus Appeal is very important in Sussex and it is very important for people like me with a high profile to get involved and show their support, which is why I am coming down to so many of the events.

"I will do as much as I can to raise money to help people locally."

The Argus Appeal is the biggest and best fund-raising effort in

Sussex. Our readers have helped us raise more than £1million for good causes over 41 years.

Last year alone we raised more than £55,000.

Now we are giving you the chance to dance the night away with a host of famous faces from the world of film, television, modelling and pop music who have all lent their support to our cause.

Argus readers can buy tickets to the join Only Fools and Horses star Roger Lloyd Pack, who played Trigger, sipping champagne beside EastEnders' Paul Moriarty, Mona Hammond, David Roper and Victoria Gould.

And they will be able to mingle with Liz Fraser, the face of dozens of Carry on Films, Rocky Horror Show star Richard Franklin, JoAnne Goode from BBC Southern Counties radio, The Bill's Chris Ellison, actor Peter Sallis and model Jamelah.

The man who made the legendary Doctor Who series, John Nathan-Turner, will also be at the launch at The Grand Hotel, Brighton, on October 31.He said: "I'm looking forward to it enormously. I have been coming along to events to raise money for the Argus Christmas Appeal for a couple of years now, and it is always very rewarding and valuable as well as very good fun.

"What is so good about the Argus Appeal is that you see people from businesses, both big and small, alongside individuals and people from the entertainment business taking part and contributing in their own way for the people of Sussex."

Even those stars who cannot make it for the big night, including Barbara Windsor, have written pledging their support.

Anita Dobson is working but has offered to make a donation to the Appeal and former Crossroads actor Tony Adams said: "I am appearing at another event. I am so sorry but good luck."

The Grand Hotel is providing the room free of charge, Eurolink are sponsoring the launch party food worth £5,000 and Delbeck's of Ship Street are providing all the champagne.

That ensures every penny raised during the evening can be ploughed straight back into helping the people of Sussex.

Entertainment for the event is being provided by Vic Richards and his orchestra alongside 12-year-old singing sensation Shardai, who made her debut at Brighton's Theatre Royal for last year's appeal.

A special cake to mark the event is being provided by Chunky's and Be Barb Balloona Decor will ensure the whole feel is magical.

Of course the aim of the evening is not only to have fun but also to raise vital cash for the hundreds of groups and individuals the Argus helps every year.

More than £20,000 worth of food was made up into festive hampers which we distributed to 2,000 elderly and hard-up families last year.

And young people with

learning disabilities at the

Cherish Youth Club in Hove were delighted with their special

Christmas gift of a bubble

tube they received thanks to the appeal.

Brighton Society for the Blind got a £500 boost from the fund with which they bought a lending library of toys to bring a smile to the faces of dozens of blind and visually-impaired children.

Tickets for the event, which is from 4-8pm, are £25 including a champagne buffet, and can

be obtained from Brian

Ralfe or Tony Cole on 01273 544730.

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