WARWICK HELPS RUDOLF!

Hollywood actor and TV star Warwick Davis will be the special guest of an exciting fundraiser in aid of The Rudolf Fund.

Warwick, who recently starred in BBC’s hit show Life’s Too Short alongside Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, will be at Buckles Solicitors LLP, Bourges Boulevard, Peterborough, on February 24 from noon to 2pm.

His appearance is part of an open house event, set up by Buckles, which kicks off at 10.30am and will include tea, coffee, handmade cakes and crafts stalls, as well as a raffle and a silent auction.

Peterborough United has also confirmed that at least one first-team player will be making an appearance at the event, which is open to everybody to attend.

All of the money raised on the day will go to The Rudolf Fund, a Peterborough-based charity, which aims to ‘Make Christmas Special for Special Children’ by taking a group on a magical trip at Christmas.

The charity, set up in 1997, is struggling financially as the country grapples with austerity and unless extra money can be found, this year could well be its last.

A spokesman for Warwick said that he first heard about the fundraising event at the weekend during the inaugural meeting of Little People UK, which he and his wife Sam have been instrumental in setting up.

He was immediately very keen to get involved and has also donated a signed copy of his book together with some signed photographs to the raffle.

The secretary of The Rudolf Fund, John Fox, said: “Having Warwick’s support for this event is fantastic.

“The charity needs all the help it can get this year, so to have someone of Warwick’s popularity attending is great news.

“He is widely known for his appearances in some great films, such as Star Wars and Harry Potter, and hopefully he will help attract more people to drop-in and support the day, kindly set up by Buckles.”

Raffle tickets, including fantastic prizes donated by the William Cecil Hotel, Stamford, the Bull Hotel, Peterborough, and Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire, are available on the day, with winners drawn at 1.30pm on February 24.

They can also be bought in advance from Buckles’ offices in Bourges Boulevard, Peterborough, and St Mary’s Hill, Stamford.

A silent auction is also underway to win a signed Leicester Tigers rugby ball. Bids can be made on the day, or by e-mailing your name, address, contact number and bid to auction@buckles-law.co.uk.

The auction closes at 1.30pm on February 24 and the lucky winner will be notified by e-mail on February 25.

Solicitors from Buckles will also be on hand during the day to answer legal questions, with visitors receiving a 10 per cent discount on conveyancing, divorce or wills advice over the next 12 months.

Sarah Westwood, Associate at Buckles Solicitors, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support from local businesses for this event so far, so to have Warwick involved is incredible.

“The Rudolf Fund is a worthwhile local charity so we hope that this event will help to raise some of the essential funds needed to continue the magical Christmas trips.”

For more on the raffle prizes and the auction, please visit www.buckles-law.co.uk or www.rudolf-fund.org.uk.

- The Rudolf Fund charity collection at the Peterborough United v West Ham United match, postponed due to freezing weather on Saturday, will now take place at the rearranged game on March 27.

Volunteers wishing to help out on the day should e-mail rudolffund@yahoo.com for more information.