Elton John is hoping to sprinkle some celebrity stardust over Brian Paddick's campaign to become London's mayor in May 2008 as the former police chief struggles to raise funding.

Sir Elton held a fundraising event at one of his houses in London on January 30, 2008 to introduce potential donors to the candidate, who has received only a trickle of donations so far.

Mr Paddick, former deputy assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan police, has registered no donations at the Electoral Commission. A recent event with 80 supporters at a wine bar near London Bridge raised £5,000.

"People are very reluctant to get involved as donors at all," said Peter Dunphy, Mr Paddick's chief fundraiser, "although there is an immense amount of goodwill." A target of £150,000 is considered realistic but still "an uphill struggle" by Mr Paddick's campaign team.

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