A DERBY Telegraph campaign to raise cash for a struggling charity is edging closer to its target and now stands at more than £130,000.

The Give Water, Give Life appeal was launched at the end of November to support Aquabox, which sends life-saving water purification kits to victims of natural disasters.

In the last few weeks the charity has been called on to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, with volunteers working round the clock to get the Aquaboxes ready.

With the help of money raised by Derby Telegraph readers, the charity has been able to send more than 800 of its Aquaboxes, which also contain essential welfare items including cooking pots and tools, out to survivors.

David Haspel, trustee of the charity which is run by the Rotary Club of Wirksworth, said volunteers were now getting ready to send a third batch of aid to Haiti and urged readers to continue their support.

He said: "This is a long-term effort – our aid was still being greatly appreciated nine months after the 2004 tsun-ami.

"Our water and humanitarian aid is of long-term value, especially when families begin to return from the refugee camps and look to rebuilding both their lives and their family homes.

"So please keep on supporting us in any way possible. Feel assured that your support will be put to good use."

Schools, business, individuals and local Rotary Clubs have all been organising events to raise cash to boost the appeal to its £138,000 target.

The earthquake, on January 12, is now thought to have killed 230,000 people and left a million more homeless.

Pupils at Nightingale Junior School, who held a Caribbean afternoon and bought in spare change from home, collected £300 for the Give Water, Give Life campaign.

Youngsters from Asterdale Primary School raised £1,000 through a choir performance outside Morrison's supermarket in Derby, a non-uniform day and cake sale, while Ridgeway Infants collected £800 on their non-uniform day.

A further £5,000 is hoped to be raised by Derby Rotary Club at its Thanks For Life sponsored walk at Markeaton Park on Sunday, February 21.

Hundreds of people are expected for the five-mile walk, from 9.30am until 1pm.

Anyone interested in taking part is asked to call John Worthy on Derby 553548 or Peter Branson on Derby 515801 for a sponsorship form.