Turning frowns upside down are Rotary Clubs of Luton and Barton who need your smiles for their most ambitious charity fundraising project to date.

The Miles Of Smiles campaign, launched this week, aims to collect £75,000 for a range of worthy causes including Keech Cottage and Macmillan, and unveil a huge mile of smiles on Pope's Meadow, Luton, on May 28 as part of the Luton Carnival celebrations.

Lutonians can demonstrate their big hearts by buying a smiley sticker for £1 from Rotarians and they will be able to place a smiley message on a small section of a banner.
Each banner has 25 spots, with every section being exactly the size of a pound coin.

If £75,000 worth of smiley stickers are bought and banners filled, when the banners are joined up it will create a massive mile-long stretch of smiles.

Impressionist Kate Robbins, who lives in South Beds, is supporting the campaign. She said: "I've done a lot of stuff for Rotary before and we all support the hospice. I think Keech Cottage is something in people's minds. When you think of children in a hospice it makes people want to give their money. If you get enough smiles we get £75,000 for a mile."

Chairman of Miles Of Smiles Richard Giles said: "Last year I thought it would be a good idea for the clubs in Luton to get together and create a synergy to get a fundraising project going. It creates awareness of Rotary. It's a fun thing to do, it should provide a big fundraising effort for the charities and the project will culminate with a gigantic smile.

"We are hoping to go into the Guinness Book Of Records. We've got three months to get cracking!"

Schools and local businesses are also encouraged to get involved and Luton Airport is already sponsoring the campaign.

Firms can promote their company message on the banner or rally employees to write individual smiley messages.

If you would like to get involved with Miles Of Smiles, contact David Swain on 07951 720103 or visit the website at www.milesofsmiles.info.