Avast me hearties! Swashbuckling pirates have helped to raise more money for Oliver Smith.

Staff at Asda in Sittingbourne dressed up on Saturday as part of a pirate-themed family fun day to fundraise for the three-year-old, who is battling the childhood cancer neuroblastoma.

His family is trying to reach the £150,000 target for treatment he will need in Germany if his condition worsens.

Anne Taylor and Mary Smith, who work at the store in Mill Way, also had their heads shaved to collect more cash and there was an in-store treasure hunt.

It is hoped the day will have boosted the appeal by at least £1,000.

A 24-hour darts marathon also took place over the weekend at the Rushenden Club, which raised more than £600.

The appeal now stands at £43,602.

There are plenty of events coming up which have been organised by Islanders keen to help.

On Saturday, there will be a disco, buffet and raffle at Sheerness East Working Men’s Club, Queenborough Road, Halfway. Tickets cost £5.

A family fun day at the Dickens cafe in High Street, Rochester, takes place on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.

At the moment, Oliver and his mum Natalie are waiting for an appointment to get his Hickman line removed. Natalie is hopeful that this will be before Christmas.

In December, Oliver will have an ultrasound scan and further appointments in January to check on the condition of the tumours which remain in his head, leg and pelvis.

If they have not changed, he will then be checked every three months.

Natalie, of Coral Road, Minster, said: “In January I’m hoping to get Oliver back to nursery. Even if it’s just one day a week so he can be back with other kids.”

Their annual open day at the station in High Street, Sheerness, from 10am on Saturday will be to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning as well as the Oliver Smith Appeal.

Visitors can find out more about Kent Fire and Rescue Services and look round the station.

A donation bucket for people to put their “coppers and coins” in will be taken to the bank and given to the appeal.

Then on Sunday, the station’s Red watch will be rowing anti-clockwise around the Island, in a boat provided by Sheppey Sea Cadets.

They plan to set off between 8am and 9am and expect to complete the 40-mile trip in about 12 hours.

An acoustic album produced to boost the appeal is finished and ready for release.

Musician Jody Bodiam came up with the idea to get Sheppey singer/songwriters together to record the fundraising album.

Twelve artists came forward and the CD, called Help Oliver, will officially be launched at the Beach pub in Seaside Avenue, Minster, on Saturday, October 22.

It will not be available before the launch and will cost £5, with all profits going towards the appeal.

At the launch, there will be live music by some of those artists featured on the album.

Kyle Barton, who runs Sheerness-based mobile recording company Stegosaurus Studios, has helped Jody produce it.

Everyone is welcome to go along to the launch night, which kicks off at 7pm.

Jody said: “It sounds brilliant – I’m really chuffed with it.”