DEACON Blue stars Lorraine McIntosh and Ricky Ross are urging Scots to back a Scottish charity’s work after seeing it for themselves in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The pair went to the African nation to learn about the impact SCIAF makes there. Yesterday they launched the charity’s Wee Box Big Change appeal.

McIntosh – who will share her DRC diary exclusively in the Sunday National this week – said the scale of sexual violence against women there was “extremely disturbing”, adding: “The strength and courage of the women I met was truly inspiring, but many more urgently need our help.”

To find out more or make a donation, visit www.sciaf.org.uk/weebox or call 0141 354 5555.