Captain Karl Duguid and midfield favourite Kem Izzet are among the Colchester United stars backing an appeal being launched to help sick children.

The players are backing the Children's Ward Dream Appeal, which was launched on Tuesday night at Colchester Town Hall by the Colchester League of Hospital and Community Friends.

The aim of the appeal is to raise at least £30,000 for new equipment at Colchester General Hospital's Children's Ward.

Prior to the official launch team skipper Doogie and midfield colleague Kem gave the appeal a boost by visiting the Children's Ward to meet staff and patients.

Doogie said: "The players from the squad are showing a great example by leading the way in this very important appeal and we urge all our fans to do the same.

"We are pleased to have been able to come here today and it's clear what a great job all the doctors and nurses are doing here. It was also nice to help put a smile on the children's faces, some of who are obviously quite ill.

"Being in hospital can be a difficult experience, but it must be even worse when you are a child, so we are only to happy to support this appeal in any way we can."

The £30,000 will be spent on equipment, which will be used specifically to treat very ill children, such as heart and blood pressure monitors, specialised incubators and infusion pumps.

Ward manager Lynda Pearce said: "We are delighted that Colchester United are supporting us in this appeal, as this new equipment will really be beneficial to the ward

"The new specialist equipment will help us to continuously monitor the sick child, detecting signs of deterioration and improvement in their condition.

"It will provide much needed resources to meet the growing demand for the care of the seriously ill child within our general hospital.

"We can't thank the league of hospital and community friends and Colchester United enough for the fantastic support once again."

The Colchester League of Hospital Friends have already organized several events for the appeal including a dinner/dance, raffles and collections and will be organizing a number of over events to help reach the £30,000.

Chief fundraiser Graham Appleton said: "It is great to have the Colchester United players here to Kick Off our Dream Appeal.

"I would ask anyone who wants to help us achieve our goal to contact me on 01206 286643 or at graham.appleton@ntlworld.com. Any contribution, large or small, will make a real difference whether it is a donation or organising an event."