Find local news in Kent

Home   Sheerness   News   Article

Swimmers go to great lengths to help family

11:27, 02 December 2011

updated: 16:23, 12 November 2019

At back, from left, Oliver Smith and mum Natalie, Julie Wallace, Denise Telford and lifeguard Nick Willott, and children at front, Daisy Hollands, Gracie Hollands, Bailey King and Lily Jefferies
At back, from left, Oliver Smith and mum Natalie, Julie Wallace, Denise Telford and lifeguard Nick Willott, and children at front, Daisy Hollands, Gracie Hollands, Bailey King and Lily Jefferies

More events organised by our generous readers have continued to
raise money for a poorly toddler.

Since June, Islanders have been raising money for three-year-old
Oliver Smith, who has the childhood cancer neuroblastoma.

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

Oliver Smith Appeal logo
Oliver Smith Appeal logo

On Saturday, a sponsored 'swimathon’ was held
at Sheppey Healthy Living Centre in Sheerness.

A group of seven people took part in the event and they could
choose to swim as many lengths as they wanted.

Lifeguard at the pool Nick Willott managed 100.

Most of the sponsorship money is still to be counted and it is
hoped it will have raised at least £100.

Everyone also had to pay £1 to enter.

Pool deputy manager Ann Stupple said: “Although we were a bit
disappointed there were not many people, those that did come made a
fantastic effort.

“It was great and I would like to thank everyone who took
part.”

Queenborough Archers have boosted the appeal by £1,315 by
collecting at events they have attended and from holding a
sponsored speed shoot where club members had to shoot as many
arrows as they could in three minutes.

Collections were from two events held at the Kingsferry Gun Club
with the Isle of Sheppey Round Table and the Rotary Club of
Minster-on-Sea.

Queenborough Archers, pictured with Oliver Smith, have raised more than £1,300 for the appeal
Queenborough Archers, pictured with Oliver Smith, have raised more than £1,300 for the appeal

The club, which shoots at the Isle of Sheppey Academy’s east
site in Minster Road on Friday evenings, invited Oliver and his mum
Natalie, of Coral Road, Minster, along to have a go.

Chairman Ian Humphrey said: “We would like to thank these
organisations for letting us make these collections and the
committee would also like to thank and congratulate the club
members for raising this amount of money for such a worthy
cause.

“We all agreed we wanted to do something to support a local
youngster.”

The Oliver Smith Appeal total now stands at £62,229.

The archers shoot on Fridays between 5pm and 8.30pm. All ages, abilities and bow types are welcome and there are coaches with disability awareness training. For more information visit their website


Events still to come

  • Magician Terry Rea will do close-up magic at The Royal pub inSheerness on December 21, 7pm to 9pm. He will then go to The Playain Minster.
  • A New Year’s Eve party is being held at Woodcombe Hall,Murston, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults; childrenadmitted free.
  • To donate to the appeal, pop into the Times Guardian officewhere you can also buy CDs and wristbands. You can also donate online
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More