Sheppey firefighters pulled out all the stops over the
weekend to boost the total of the Oliver Smith Appeal.

Their
efforts have added more than £3,000 towards the £150,000 target for
the three-year-old, who is battling neuroblastoma.

His family are trying to raise the money for treatment he
could need in Germany if his condition worsens.

Dozens of people went along to Sheppey fire station's open
day on Saturday to find out more about the fire service.

There was a barbecue and other organisations there were St
John Ambulance, Sheppey Coastguard and the prison service's dog
team.

Firefighters from Queenborough and Eastchurch stations
also went along. Money raised was split, with £500 going to
Macmillan Cancer Support and £200 for Oliver.

Another £186 was also collected for Oliver by people
donating change.

On Sunday, a team from the fire station's red watch
undertook the mammoth task of rowing 34 miles around the
Island.

They set off from the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club at 8am
in perfect conditions - in a boat named after the late Brian Lyons,
lent to them by the Sheppey Sea Cadet Unit.

The boat had only been named the day before so it was its
maiden voyage.

Red watch's Jim Ashby, Ronnie Selfe and Steve Smart were
joined by Adam Montgomery from the sea cadets and firefighter Paul
Ross's brother Dave for the first leg of the challenge.

They made it round to Ridham where they changed crews and
Paul, Tony Fox, Dave Hewitt and Jon Clarke, from Sittingbourne
station's red watch, took over, with Jim staying on as
coxswain.

Once they reached Shellness, Dave Ross, Ronnie, Steve,
Adam and Mat Barney from Sittingbourne took over.

Nigel Poultney from Sittingbourne and Mark Seager from the
sailing club took over from Adam and Ronnie at Warden Point and
they all rowed round to Windy Gap.

The final leg was from there to the sailing club and rowed
by Dave Hewitt, Paul, James, Tony and Jon, who were joined by
Ronnie and Steve for the final 100m.

They crossed the finish line at 3.36pm - meaning they
completed the row in seven hours 36 minutes.

Paul said it was a brilliant experience and there
were even a few tears at the finish.

He added: "We achieved what we thought impossible - a time
under eight hours. We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to
everyone who has supported us in this."

Sponsorship for the firefighters has already reached
£2,683 and there is still time to add to the total.

Visit www.bmycharity.com/row

Special thanks to Adam Montgomery and Albert and Brian from the
Sea Cadet Unit for their help with training and for the loan of the
boat.

Thanks also to Dave Ross and Jon Clarke, Nigel Poultney and Mat
Barney from Sittingbourne and Mark Seager and Tony Alexander from
the sailing club for their support boat.

They have also thanked all the companies who sponsored
them.

They are: Thamesteel Sports Committee; Laywell Flooring; Honours
Furnishings; Bob Coates; Brian's Cookers; G & P Maintenance;
Swale Builders' Supplies; Finesse; Medichem; Stadium Sports;
Havills; Bennetts Transport; Windsor Furniture; Island Travel;
Oasis Plumbing; John Setterfields; The Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club
Committee; Tesco and Bowles Electrical.

They also thanked everybody who donated to their sponsorship
total.