by Emma Grove

Generous Islanders have raised almost £2,000 for Children in Need - helping towards this year's £18 million total.

Belinda Rule, a child minder who lives in Warden Bay, had a novel way to collect funds.

She took four children she looks after - Hope Mulder, two, Tyler and Jamie Sitch, six, and 10, Courtney Gibbs, 10 - and her son Sean, five, on a sponsored walk with a difference.

The group got sponsored to walk one-and-a-half miles from Leysdown to Warden Bay with jelly in their wellies and raised £366.50 for Pudsey.

Also fund-raising were staff at the Healthy Living Centre, off Royal Road, Sheerness.

They took it in turns to ride an exercise bike all day encouraging people to donate into a bucket placed nearby. They collected more than £10.

Sheerness Swimming Club and Lifeguard Corps swapped their usual training session for a night of fun to raise money for the charity.

Races, a home-made cake stall and a collection round the audience raised £50 for Children in Need.

School children wore their own clothes to help Pudsey and youngsters at West Minster Primary raised £500.

As well as the non-uniform day, where children and staff were encouraged to wear yellow or spotty clothes, there were also invited to bring in their own teddy bears for a 50p entry fee.

There was a colouring competition and bake sale held after school.

Year 4 pupil Jack Crowther made a Pudsey cake with his mum which was the prize in a sweepstake among the teachers.

Another keen fund-raiser was Alex Braby, of Baldwin Road, Minster.

Twelve-year-old Alex cycled six miles from Minster to Sheerness Docks and back with her dad Nick and raised £65 in sponsorship.

Members and staff of a support centre for adults with learning difficulties have also raised money for the charity.

The Crawford Centre in Sheerness raised £150 for Children in Need by holding a pyjama party, singing contest and raffle.

Tinkerbell, Dennis the Menace and Aladdin helped with fund-raising at a pharmacy.

Staff at Paydens Pharmacy, based at Sheerness Health Centre, dressed up as children's characters and raffled off a Pudsey Bear to raise £700.

A break time biscuit sale at Elliot Park School in Marina Drive, Minster, raised £75 for Children in Need.