Bosnia Appeal: 'Independent' readers donate pounds 195,000

THE Independent Bosnia Appeal last night stood at more than pounds 200,000. Readers have so far sent in pounds 194,834.04 to help 15 charitable organisations that are operating in bitter winter conditions to ease the plight of the 2.7 million people in former Yugoslavia who are entirely dependent on aid. For every donation the Independent is adding 10 per cent, up to pounds 30,000. Closing date for the appeal is 31 January.

The charities range from well- known international organisations, such as Oxfam and the Red Cross, to smaller, more recently established groups. If you would like to support one or more of them, please send a separate cheque for each donation, made payable to the organisation - with the wording as below - and send to: Bosnia Appeal, The Independent, 40 City Road, London EC1Y 2DB.

1 War Child; 2 Victims of War Appeal (former Yugoslavia) - this for the Red Cross; 3 Care; 4 Cafod (Bosnia); 5 Christian Aid (Bosnia); 6 Edinburgh Direct Aid; 7 Feed the Children; 8 Help the Aged Former Yugoslavia Appeal; 9 Islamic Relief Bosnia Fund; 10 Marie Stopes International (Bosnia); 11 Oxfam; 12 The Refugee Council; 13 Save the Children Fund; 14 Scottish European Aid; 15 UNA Trust Bosnia.