THE manager of the YMCA charity shop, in the Maltings, has started selling pink ribbons in a gesture of support to the family of missing five year old April Jones.

Sam Pendrey, manager of the YMCA in Ross, said: "We want to raise as much money, and as much awareness as possible."

April went missing from outside her home in Machynlleth, in Powys, on the evening of Monday, October 1st.

Sam is encouraging other branches of YMCA to join her campaign, with Hereford already onboard. The ribbons are on sale for a suggested donation of 50p each.

Sam is acutely aware of the distress that April's family have been going through as her own daughter went missing for 24 hours, the day after her 16th birthday.

She said: "The police were great and thankfully my daughter was returned safely. We'll send the money raised to April's family and hope that it can go some way to providing them comfort."