A team of firefighters are preparing to row around the
Island to raise money for sick tot Oliver Smith.

The family of the two-year-old, who has the childhood cancer
neuroblastoma, are trying to raise £150,000 for treatment he could
need in Germany if his condition worsens.

Generous Islanders have already boosted the Oliver Smith Appeal
by thousands of pounds.

After seeing the coverage, Sheppey fire station’s red watch
decided to jump on board and have organised their own way to raise
money.

On Sunday, September 25, a team of five will be rowing
anti-clockwise around the Island in a boat lent to them by the
Sheppey Sea Cadets.

They plan to set off between 8am and 9am and will also be joined
by members of Sittingbourne fire station’s red watch.

The crew will be followed by two support boats, including their
fire launch, and estimate it will take them around 12 hours to
complete the 40-mile trip.

Firefighter Paul Ross said they wanted to get involved because
it was an important cause.

He added: “Ultimately we are trying to help save this little
boy’s life.”

To sponsor the crew, pop into the fire station in Sheerness High
Street.

Staff at St George’s Medical Centre in Sheerness are also
getting involved to help Oliver.

Tomorrow, a team of them will be walking from the centre to the
Beach pub in Minster and back.

They have sponsorship forms and a donation bucket at their
reception.

Tonight, a gangsters and molls charity night will take place at
Minster Working Men’s Club in Union Road, Minster, from 8pm.
Tickets are available over the counter.

A number of collection buckets have been emptied since last
week, boosting the total even further.

One in the Conservative Club in Sheerness had £393, a bucket in
Premier in Sheerness town centre had £100 and the box at the Times
Guardian office had another £125.

We also reported last week how Midge and Aubrey Fox, from
Sheerness, had asked guests to their diamond wedding celebration on
Saturday to donate to the appeal instead of bringing gifts.

This raised £171.30 and the couple thanked all their family and
friends who donated.

Thanks to these latest donations, the appeal has now been
boosted to £39,672.

• Donate online or search Facebook for Help Oliver Smith beat neuroblastoma. There is also a donation bucket in the Times Guardian office.

Every year, Sheppey fire station holds an open day for the
community.

The 2011 event will be on Saturday, September 24 – the day
before red watch row around the Island.

It will be to raise money as part of Macmillan Cancer Support’s
World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, and this year they will also be
collecting for the Oliver Smith Appeal.

As well as finding out more about Kent Fire and Rescue Service,
visitors will be able to look round the station and learn more
about the fire launch boat.

There will be donation buckets for both causes and anyone who
has a “coins and coppers” pot at home is invited to bring along
their change for the Oliver Smith Appeal.

Bags of change can be left at the station and firefighters will
take it to the bank for the appeal.

Crew manager Jim Ashby came up with the coppers and coins
idea.

• Everyone is welcome to the open day at the station in Sheerness High Street from 10am.

Oliver’s mum Natalie, of Coral Road, Minster, is in the
process of organising a raffle for the appeal.

Val Ball, 72, of Main Road, Queenborough, has donated a doll’s
house, which will be one of the prizes.

She said it had been standing in her home for years doing
nothing and she would rather it went to a good cause.

“There are still a few finishing touches which need doing –
including some painting, wallpapering and wiring – but then it will
be ready to go.”

Natalie would be pleased to hear from anyone who could help with
finishing off the doll’s house.

She said: “I’m so grateful for the donation.

“It will make a really nice present for someone.

“We’re probably going to do a Christmas raffle.”

• If you can help finish the doll’s house, phone Natalie on 07715 694717.

Your Times Guardian will be marking Oliver's third birthday this
Sunday by donating 5p from each paper sold next week to his
appeal.

Editor Matt Ramsden said: “The Sheppey community has been
fantastic with organising events to help raise funds for Oliver so
we thought hard about what we could do on top of promoting the
appeal.

“If everyone makes a special effort to buy the paper next week,
we should be able to add hundreds of pounds to the total.”