A fun-packed fundraiser at Sheerness East Working Men’s Club raised an impressive four-figure sum on Saturday.

Organisers of The Jimmy Gray Memorial Day estimate nearly £9,000 will have been collected for AMMF, a charity which researches cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer.

Proceedings kicked-off with a mini-football tournament featuring Sheerness East and Sheppey veterans as well as current squad members.

In the afternoon, Sid James Scooter Club’s Paul Wilson played DJ and kept a packed bar entertained before the arrival of the day’s star guest, Rick Buckler, drummer with British music giants The Jam.

The legendary sticksman autographed copies of his best-selling autobiography, That’s Entertainment, plus an array of music memorabilia fans queued patiently to have signed.

A brief acoustic set of Jam songs performed by a hastily-arranged Island band won the crowd’s, and Rick’s, approval.

And in an area set aside for a bouncy castle and face painting, Katie Jane Dance Academy stepped up to deliver a stunning routine to A Town Called Malice, a Jam classic.

Boogie Nights disco, featuring four celebrated Island DJs, ensured the day ended on a high.

An auction and raffle held during the evening with a host of top prizes, added to funds.

John Munday, who organised festivities in memory of his friend and former East coach, Jimmy, who died last year from cancer aged 52, said: “It was an unbelievable day.

“The community spirit on this Island never ceases to amaze me.”