Balby-based Pegler Limited, a leading manufacturer of taps and fittings, has announced a £1,000 donation to our 'Help Brave Ben' appeal - made via the firm's long-running Employees' Charity Fund.

And that means our fund is doing well with almost £10,000 spilling into the charity account since we launched the campaign in September.

Almost half of the staff at Pegler, housed at Belmont Works on St Catherine's Avenue in Balby, currently donate an amount of their wages in support of local good causes.

And fund committee member Janine Baker, of Armthorpe, said the charity had no hesitation in backing 23-year-old Ben, who lost both of his legs and suffered more than 30 horrific injuries after a landmine blast in Afghanistan in 2006.

"We always get several requests for money but Ben Parkinson was the most needy this time around," said the business systems administrator.

"Obviously due to his injuries he needs all the help he can get. It was a unanimous decision by the committee to make a donation to this appeal.

"It's shocking really what he's had to go through," she added. "I think it's good everyone has rallied round to help him."

The Pegler Employees' Charity Fund, which is more than 50 years old, has made donations to hundreds of good causes in the past, including Tickhill Road Hospital and Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Pegler was formed in 1899 by Victorian entrepreneurs Frank Pegler and Fred Birchall, and is now one of the largest employers in South Yorkshire with approximately 530 people at its main Doncaster site.

'Help Brave Ben' was launched last year in partnership with Hatfield car dealership firm F.Cross & Son Kia Ltd - aiming to raise enough money to provide Ben and his family with a Kia Sedona people carrier.

Anyone organising a fundraising event in support of the Ben Parkinson Fund should contact us on (01302) 347260 for publicity.

* Doncaster Conservative Club will host a charity night later this month - with all the proceeds going towards our 'Help Brave Ben' appeal.

The evening will feature the talents of highly-aclaimed George Formby impersonator Dennis Taylor and also include a raffle and bingo.

Tickets for the event on Wednesday, January 23 (7.30pm), are available from the club's South Parade address priced at £3.

* 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.