|PIC1|Popular British rock star, Lil' Chris, has joined a host of celebrities including TV favourites, Nikki Sanderson, Debra Stephenson and Sarah Jayne Dunn, along with upcoming band, The Holloways, in showing their support for World Vision's 2007 24 Hour Famine.

An annual event, the 24 Hour Famine is now in its 21st year of encouraging young people from across the UK to go without food and experience hunger for one day. The 24 Hour Famine helps to raise money for the charity through sponsorship and fundraising activities.

The 2007 campaign takes place 9-11 February this year and funds raised will benefit the Keembe community, one of the poorest areas in Zambia.

This community is working hard to improve its crop yield in order to produce a sufficient harvest to eat and sell, which in turn will lead to improved health, nutrition and standard of living. World Vision aims to support this project by providing the practical materials and training needed to grow improved crops.

Lil' Chris encourages as many people as possible to take part and said: "As young people we are able to help other young people who are suffering around the world. We have the ability to speak with loads of people on the internet and at school, so we should all be doing what we can to do our bit for others less fortunate."

Last year's campaign was supported by 'I'm a Celebrity' star Myleene Klass and raised over £700,000, which is now being used to help vulnerable families in Sierra Leone, and this year, World Vision hopes to raise even more money to benefit those with the most need.

Fiona Cole, public relations manager for World Vision, said; "We are delighted that so many celebrities have chosen to get involved and help raise awareness of World Vision's 24 Hour Famine campaign this year. This annual fundraising campaign is supported by an incredible number of people across the UK and we hope the support of our celebrities will encourage even more people to take part over the weekend of 9-11 February."

For more information, go to www.24hourfamine.org.uk.

World Vision is a Christian charity and one of the world's leading aid and development agencies, currently helping more than 100 million people in nearly 100 countries in their struggle against poverty, hunger and injustice, irrespective of their religious beliefs.