AN APPEAL asking people to give an hour’s pay to lessen the suffering in Sudan is launched today by the Guernsey Press and Island FM. The Final Hour, which is supported by Bailiff Sir de Vic Carey, aims to raise thousands to help ease the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Islanders are being urged to donate their last hour’s pay from August to raise funds for UK charities aiding the million people who have been forced to flee their homes in the Sudan.

Trouble in the western region of Darfur has led to the death of up to 50,000 people since the conflict erupted last year.

More are now at risk from disease and starvation as they cram into unsanitary refugee camps.

The appeal is the idea of local accountant Richard Searle, whose sister, Amanda, is on her way to the country as an aid volunteer.

‘When I was younger, there was Ethiopia and Live Aid. It was all very striking to everybody because it had never been seen before on that scale,’ he said.

‘Unfortunately, you do tend to see it more as time goes by and the world gets smaller and people do become blase about it. What woke me up was my sister going out there – everybody needs a wake-up call.’

Companies can download donation forms at www.thisisGuernsey.com or obtain them by e-mailing finalhour@bdogsy.com.

This gives employees the option of giving their last hour’s pay or making a donation.

Money raised will be passed to the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee and its member charities through the Bailiff’s Disaster Emergency Relief Fund.

Sir de Vic’s has already raised more than £3,000 in donations.

‘This is very encouraging and I hope Richard Searle’s initiative will bring it up, because there really is a need,’ he said.

Island FM’s Gary Burgess said: ‘I’m really pleased Island FM and the Guernsey Press are working together to hopefully raise an awful lot of money with the help of everyone in Guernsey.

‘It’s a really important cause and hopefully we can make a real difference.’

Guernsey Press editor Richard Digard said: ‘The scale of the catastrophe is simply too big to ignore and I’m sure islanders will take this opportunity to help alleviate the appalling suffering in Darfur.’