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Islanders keep giving time and cash for tot

Oliver Smith, two
Oliver Smith, two

Hundreds of Islanders will be raising money for sick tot Oliver Smith this weekend.

Since we first reported the two-year-old’s battle with the childhood cancer neuroblastoma, our readers have helped to raise thousands of pounds.

His family are hoping to raise £150,000 for treatment in Germany he is likely to need.

The total stands this week at £17,703 but is likely to be given a huge boost through a number of events planned this weekend.

Today (Friday) there will be a disco and buffet at Sheerness Golf Club in Power Station Road, Halfway.

It has been organised by members Paul Mason and Sean McDermott, and tickets costing £5 are available at the club.

On Saturday there will be a fun day at Sheppey Sports and Social Club in Holm Place, off Queenborough Road, Halfway.

As well as two bouncy castles, fun fair rides, refreshments and live music there will be traditional games and activities such as hoopla and sack races.

The fun will kick off at midday and goes until 5pm.

Entry is free. Lee Hake and his friends and colleagues, from Arriva and Sheerness Docks, are cycling from Hastings to the Island and will finish at the fun day.

Also on Saturday, Traci Munday and Jolene Greer have organised a 20-mile sponsored walk from Medway Maritime Hospital to The Goat pub in Sheerness.

Traci, from Sheerness, works at The Goat and Jolene is a customer. They have around 20 people joining them for the walk and will be collecting along the way.

On Sunday the Castle Inn, at Eastchurch, is holding a fun day, from 1pm until late. Activities will include a disco, bouncy castle, auction and raffle.

The same day, Oliver’s grandma, Sue Barton, will be taking part in a sponsored walk with more than 60 colleagues from Tesco, Sheerness, and their friends.

It has been organised by Jackie Leslie and Emma Corpse and the group will be walking from The Shurland in Eastchurch to BRFM’s new headquarters at the Pavilion in Sheerness.

Keep an eye out for the walkers, who will be shaking their collection buckets.

Tim’s Travel in Sheerness has provided a free bus to take all the walkers to Eastchurch.

Sue, of Hawthorn Avenue, Sheerness, said: “The response to the whole thing has been amazing.

“When you say thank you, it doesn’t seem enough.”

Steve Craig, from Minster, was due to do a skydive for the appeal on Saturday but it was cancelled because of the rain.

It has been rescheduled to take place in October.

  • To sponsor Steve, or Lee and his colleagues, pop into the Times Guardian office, where you can collect forms.

Sheppey director of rugby Andy Hosken (left) welcomes new signing Steve Croall, watched by club vice-president Geoff Hyde
Sheppey director of rugby Andy Hosken (left) welcomes new signing Steve Croall, watched by club vice-president Geoff Hyde

The family of Sheppey rugby player Steve Croall have decided to donate some of

the money collected at his funeral on Monday to Oliver’s appeal.

Cash from a whip round at his wake, which was held at Sheppey Rugby Club.

It will go towards buying a memorial bench for the 28-year-old who died last month.

Any cash left over will go to the appeal.

Oliver’s mum Natalie, who went to Minster College with Steve, said she was overwhelmed by the gesture.

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