A PENSIONER has raised £100 from friends and neighbours after being touched by the death of schoolboy Jamie Bucknell.

Eileen Whitely said she was reduced to tears when she read what had happened to Jamie in the Evening Press and felt compelled to do her bit to help the appeal set up in his memory.

Mrs Whitely, 72, of Fossway, said: "I was so sorry to hear about Jamie that I just wanted to help.

"I have just been diagnosed with a heart condition so it seemed even more important to do something to benefit other people."

Jamie's Have a Heart Appeal, which was set-up by the Evening Press ten days ago, has now reached just short of £5,500.

The 14-year-old Huntington School pupil collapsed and died in school on November 12. His death has caused a public outpouring of emotion and his family are fully supporting our appeal.

The appeal, in memory of Jamie, is trying to raise £7,500 to buy 12 portable heart monitors for York District Hospital. The monitors can be taken home by a patient suffering with a heart irregularity and can be used to record vital information.

If you are organising any fundraising activities contact Emma Harrison, health reporter, or Richard Edwards in the Evening Press newsroom on 01904 653051. Or email using the link above .

Donations should be sent to either reporter and it will be paid into a special bank account set up for the appeal. Cheques should be made out to "Jamie's Have a Heart Appeal".

Updated: 08:40 Tuesday, December 11, 2001