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£1,000 in a weekend boosts Oliver appeal

Oliver Smith on stage, with mum Natalie Smith and acoustic blues artist Larnie Jayne
Oliver Smith on stage, with mum Natalie Smith and acoustic blues artist Larnie Jayne

Islanders’ generosity has boosted the Oliver Smith Appeal total to another landmark.

Since June, our readers have worked tirelessly organising fundraising events to help the three-year-old – who has the aggressive childhood cancer neuroblastoma.

His family is trying to raise £150,000 for treatment he could need in Germany if his condition gets worse.

This week the total has passed the £60,000 mark after more than £1,000 was raised this weekend.

In five months, Sheppey has collected £60,814.33.

On Saturday, an all-day community gig at the Ivy Leaf Bar in Sheerness raised more than £645.

It was organised by Marc Smith and David Greenslade and more than 10 bands and soloists took to the stage to entertain the crowds.

Bands travelled from as far away as Essex and there were all sorts of musical talents on show from metal and hard-core rock to acoustic sets and pop punk.

Marc, from Sheerness, said he has been following Oliver’s story in the paper and wanted to do something to help.

He said: “It’s a really worthy cause. I would like to thank Colin Barrett from the Ivy Leaf for letting us use the venue and Anthony Openshaw for his help with organising it.”

Fred Clark performs a solo set for the Oliver Smith Appeal
Fred Clark performs a solo set for the Oliver Smith Appeal

Oliver’s grandad Dave Barton has been busy picking up a number of the appeal collection boxes from different locations.

Queenborough Cafe raised £32.59; the BP garage at Queenborough Corner collected £118.55; there was £27 in a box at the Conservative Club; the Coffee Dock Cafe in Blue Town raised £15.81; Sittingbourne-based Express Catering collected £30.30 and the mobile cafe at West Minster had £19.17 in a box.

More money has also come in from a collection bucket in the Times Guardian office.

There was £142 in there from donations and the sale of wristbands and CDs.

Oliver and his mum Natalie, of Coral Road, Minster, went along to the gig on Saturday.

She said they had a lovely time and Oliver really enjoyed having a go on the drum kit.

Natalie thanked everyone for their fundraising.


  • A sponsored swim will take place at Sheerness swimming pool from 3pm to 5pm tomorrow (Saturday, November 26). Entry costs£1.
  • Magician Terry Rea will be doing close-up magic at the Royal pub in Sheerness on Wednesday, December 21, from 7pm to 9pm. He will then go to The Playa in Minster and do the same.
  • A New Year’s Eve party is being held at Woodcoombe Hall, Murston, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults and children are free.
  • To donate to the appeal, pop into the Times Guardian office where you can also buy CDs and wristbands. Alternatively, you can donate online

Race to raise £150,000 for visit

Oliver Smith Appeal logo
Oliver Smith Appeal logo

Oliver and his mum Natalie are members of Families Against Neuroblastoma, which is a charity that aims to support families and fund research.

The £150,000 Natalie is trying to raise is to pay for a trip to Germany for treatment her son will need if he has a relapse.

There is an 80-95% chance of this happening.

If Oliver has a relapse in the brain, he would have to go to America for treatment and the final bill could be as high as £300,000.

Natalie wants to raise the money now so that if Oliver does relapse they can go straight away rather than have a last-minute panic to get the cash together.

If it turns out he does not need the money, it will be donated to causes related to neuroblastoma.

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