GETTING SHIRTY; SINGING STARS HELP WATER CHARITY TO RAISE VITAL CASH.

Byline: By LIZ WALKER

MUSIC fans have the chance to get their hands on this piece of pop history and raise cash for charity.

Signed by divas Duffy and Kate Nash when they headlined at this year's sellout 3volution music festival, this T-shirt is now to be auctioned off to help raise funds to bring clean water to some of the world's poorest people.

The music extravaganza has already raised pounds 28,500, but organisers hope by selling off the signed T-shirt to the highest bidder they can raise a further pounds 1,500, which will be presented to their chosen charity WaterAid. Formerly known as Freevo-lution, this year's festival was dubbed 3volution following the introduction of a pounds 3 charge to provide funds for WaterAid. At least pounds 1 from each ticket was donated to the charity.

Alistair Baker, communication and PR manager for festival sponsors Northumbrian Water and regional PR manager for WaterAid, was the man who chased down the signatures. He said: "They were both very happy to sign the T-shirt. Duffy has signed the front and Kate Nash the back. They are both big names in music.

"The event already raised pounds 28,500 thanks to the pounds 1 donation from tickets, but we would like to be able to hand over at least pounds 30,000 and we hope this T-shirt will do the trick."

WaterAid works with people in 17 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region to improve their quality of life through lasting improvements to water, sanitation and hygiene education using local skills and sustainable technologies.

Mr Baker has seen their work first-hand after he visited projects in Malawi and Zambia in Africa.

He said: "Places where WaterAid had not reached had abject poverty.

"In the UK we take it for granted that we can turn on the tap and have clean water.

It costs just pounds 15 to provide clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education."

To place your bid, complete the coupon below, with your details and bid amount.

Bids must be received no later than Friday, September 12. Send to Evening Chronicle Evolution Bid, PO Box 358, Newcastle, NE99 1BT. Minimum bid is pounds 20, maximum bid amount pounds 5,000. Bids must be made in pounds 1 increments only.

Please do not send cash, if you are successful we will contact you

CAPTION(S):

ADDING HER NAME: Kate Nash signs the top; CELEB SUPPORT: Alistair Baker with Duffy, who has signed a T-shirt to be auctioned; PUT YOUR BID IN: Fundraiser Lorraine Couison models the signed T-shirt PICTURE: DAVE CHARLTON www.chroniclelive.co.uk/buyaphoto ref: 01349798