£18,000 is icing on the cake

MORE than £18,000 was raised in Shetland during last week’s BBC Children in Need appeal.

In spite of the credit crunch, people gave generously with fund-raising events throughout the isles.

A marathon broadcast from 7pm to 1am by Radio Shetland last Friday raised nearly £10,000 through an auction, with the top item, a year’s free inter-island ferry travel for a non-commercial vehicle, going for £950. A wooden model bus made by Ian Smith of Troswick went for £360.

It was a fun-filled night with around seven live bands, including Da Fustra and Hom Bru, and a political sketch by MP Alistair Carmichael and MSP Tavish Scott.

Radio Shetland head John Johnston said: “It’s amazing that people are giving so much when there are so many calls from so many charities. A big thank-you to the people of Shetland for supporting us.”

The Whiteness and Weisdale Rainbows, Brownies and Guides held a very successful ‘Taes ‘n’ Claes’ night for the cause last Friday and raised an amazing £600.

The girls and their Guiders said they would like to thank everyone who Whiteness and Weisdale Public Hall, local shops, Radio Shetland and everyone who came along to support Children in Need.

Mossbank Primary School held a Pudsey lunch last Friday and a Pudsey drive (similar to a beetle drive) at night. The nursery held a raffle for a Pudsey cake and the school displayed a big cut-out Pudsey to put money in – altogether around £370 was raised. A member of the parent council said the events had been very well-attended and enjoyed.

Pupils at Skerries School baked Pudsey cookies and delivered them to locals, raising £100.