School pupils, students and office workers across the borough were all smiles as uniforms and formal wear stayed in the wardrobe for the day.

And the end result should hopefully put a smile on Ben Parkinson's face - as we moved closer to our aim of handing the keys to a brand new Kia Sedona people carrier over to the former paratrooper's family.

Youngsters at Hall Cross Lower and Upper Schools were among those to take part in our day by each donating £1 to our appeal. While staff and students at Doncaster's College for the Deaf were similarly thrilled to play their part in the proceedings.

The Doncaster Chamber Team, based at Balby Carr Bank, raised £41 which was then doubled by chief executive Neville Dearden.

While efforts here at Sunny Bar and among our colleagues at Worksop raked in a further £150 after South Yorkshire Newspapers' managing director Paul Bentham also vowed to double the amount raised.

The Free Press has launched the 'Help Brave Ben' campaign as a way for Doncaster to do its bit for the 23-year-old from Wheatley Hills, who lost both of his legs and suffered more than 30 other horrific injuries in an Afghanistan landmine blast last year.

Beacon Signs, of Harworth, has kindly produced 200 'Help Brave Ben' stickers, to help publicise our appeal, free of charge. These are available from Free Press reception.

n To make a donation to the Benjamin James Parkinson Trust visit the Doncaster branch of Yorkshire Bank on St Sepulchre Gate. Cheques can be made payable to 'Ben Parkinson' or 'Ben Parkinson Trust'. Cheques can be sent to PO Box 17, 19 St Sepulchre Gate, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 1SJ. If you have a fundraiser planned you can call the Free Press for pictures and publicity on (01302) 347260