A MASSIVE charity event is to be staged in Preston in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for the Kosovo appeal.

Teams of 12 people are now being hunted to take part in Preston's answer to It's A Knockout, part of a the huge family fun day which will be held at Preston Grasshoppers' ground on Sunday, May 23.

By coincidence, details of the event were announced on the day it was revealed the hit 70's programme was to make a comeback in the autumn.

And Graham Fisher, the man behind the fund-raising event, believes the old programme's cult status will mean vital extra cash for the Kosovar refugees.

He said: "We hope to raise thousands of pounds on this day for a cause which has shocked everyone.

"A lot of people have asked what they can do to help and this is one way which involves having fun at the same time.

"Our first task is to get together some 27 teams of 12 to take part in the It's a Knockout competition. They could be from a place of work, an association or just a group of friends, it doesn't matter as long as they are over 18." A whole range of fun, family activites are planned for the day, including a giant funfair with the latest adult and childrens' rides, face painting, sidestalls, entertainment, bar and celbrity guest appearances.

All the money raised on the day will go to the Red Cross Kosovo Appeal Fund, which will use the cash to buy essential items for the hundreds of thousands of Kosvar refugees currently living in squalid camps in country's surrounding Kosovo.

To take part in the It's a Knockout tournament, which costs £19.99, ring Biff or Jean on (01772) 862405 or Anne on (01995) 600848.

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