COMPANIES employing more than 10,000 people have signed up for the Final Hour Appeal to ease the suffering of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The news comes just a week after the appeal was launched by the Guernsey Press and Island FM.

More than 140 companies have signed up, with a total staff of just more than 10,000.

It is hoped that many of these will agree to donate the last hour of their August pay to the appeal through their payroll.

Thousands should be raised and will be forwarded as soon as possible to the Bailiff ‘s Disaster Relief Fund and onwards to the UK Disasters Emergency Committee, which funds charities operating in the crisis-torn African country.

Appeal founder Richard Searle, whose sister Amanda is set to arrive in the Sudan this week to start work as an aid volunteer, said that the response to the appeal had been amazing.

‘This is fantastic news, ‘ he said. ‘Being realistic, we know this is a ballpark figure and recognise that not everybody will join in as individuals or may have already donated to another charity.

‘But it is clear that people in Guernsey recognise how important this is. The support has been tremendous.

‘We ‘re aware that a lot of individuals have been putting pressure on their employers to join in and it ‘s great to see that a number have signed up as a result.

‘I ‘m sure they would have signed up anyway but it ‘s great to see how people are feeling about it. ‘

Mr Searle urged companies concerned about payroll delays to sign up anyway. Money can be accepted from September pay, but the sooner cash is received, the better for the appeal.

‘It ‘s going to do more good there than in someone ‘s pocket over here, ‘ he said.

He also apologised to payroll staffs who have taken on the administrative burden of the appeal. No money raised through the Final Hour Appeal is going on administration.

‘I know it could be a huge burden to make the deductions. It ‘s a big job and I apologise to payroll officers. I ‘m sure some of them hate us by now! ‘

Final Hour Facts

* You can make a donation to the appeal by cheque. Make it payable to the Bailiff ‘s Disaster Relief Fund and send it to BDO Guernsey, PO Box 180, Elizabeth House, GY1 3LL

* Companies do not have to contribute through payroll. Some are arranging fund-raising events and appeals instead.

* Money is needed as soon as possible. Companies wishing to make payroll deductions, but able to do so only in September, may consider making a contribution to the appeal now and reclaiming the money from staff next month.