A DUDLEY councillor will be hoping his donation to the Stourbridge News Well of Life appeal hits the back of the net.

Tim Crumpton, cabinet member for children’s services, is auctioning off a signed West Bromwich Albion football and will donate all the proceeds to our appeal.

The Well of Life appeal, launched in conjunction with Ridgewood High School’s Project Gambia initiative, is aiming to raise £10,000 to provide a solar-powered water pump and irrigation system for the village of Sintet.

Pupils and staff from the school recently spent 12 days in West Gambia seeing firsthand how the money being raised will help the villagers.

Cllr Crumpton said: “I have been incredibly impressed by the Project Gambia charitable work undertaken by students and staff at Ridgewood High School.

“The Well of Life Appeal is a fantastic project which has already attracted a great deal of interest and support across our borough.

“I believe it illustrates the generosity and compassion that the British people show towards so many.

“I was lucky enough to win a West Bromwich Albion signed and certificated 2014/15 season football at the recent Dudley Youth Awards and now want to see how much can be raised from auctioning it.

“I am bidding £100 and will give that amount on top of whatever is the highest bid made by the end date of the auction.”

To be with a chance of winning the signed Albion football, you need to email your bid to Cllr.timothy.crumpton@dudleymbc.org.uk before noon on Monday, May 18.

The Stourbridge News website, twitter and facebook pages will be keeping you up-to-date with the current highest bidder.

The winning bidder will be presented with the football by the new Mayor of Dudley at a reception in the mayor’s chambers.

As well as bidding for the football, you can donate to the appeal online by visiting www.justgiving.com/welloflifeappeal/, or text PROG15 and your amount, either £10, £5, £4, £3, £2 or £1 to 70070.

People can also donate cash or cheques in person at the Stourbridge News offices, at St John’s House, St John’s Road, Stourbridge.

Cheques need to be made payable to Project Gambia Trust Ridgewood, and you’ll need to write Well off Life Appeal on the back.

If you are carrying out an event to help raise funds for the Well of Life Appeal please call our reporter Dan Sharp on 01384 358223, or email dan.sharp@stourbridgenews.co.uk with details.