A SMALL yellow knitted duck – this is the emblem of the Tommy Hollis Fund.

The fund which was set up in honour of the youngster who was tragically killed by a falling lampost six months ago.

Now his family are appealing for knitters to come forward to help create an army of these toys. Tommy's mother Kate Hollis has been selling the ducks, which are a copy of what was Tommy's favourite toy, along with cookies and cakes at summer fairs and has been overwhelmed by their popularity.

Kate, 38, said: "The ducks have been selling really quickly. We would be fantastically grateful if anyone wanted to help."

Mrs Hollis, a senior legal counsel at GE Capital, and her 40-year-old husband Nick, a pilot, set up the fund with a sight to raising money for charities which help sick, under-priviliged and orphaned children.

"It's obviously still really difficult," said Mrs Hollis of Sutton Court Road. "We are constantly up and down and they are still investigating what may have happened on that day, these things can take time. I am still not back at work. We have had so much support though, which is fantastic."

Waitrose in Chiswick, chose the fund as one of their three Communtiy Matters charities for June and will be doing so again in August. With a portion of £1,000 being given to the fund according to how customers vote with their green tokens when shopping.

Friends and family of the Hollis family have so far recruited 19 knitters from places as far flung as Australia and hope they can continue collecting the ducks over a long period for any local sales that may come up.

If you would like to help you can find the pattern for the duck on www.tommyhollisfund.co.uk or at the Creations store in Turnham Green Terrace. Once you have knitted the ducks they can be dropped back off for collection at Creations.