Fundraiser raises funds

MOST OF TOYLAND WERE GLUED TO their television sets last night to watch the Toyland Network's biannual fundraising programme Little Toys in Need. The show, presented by Marissa Cooper and 94 year old Jeff Badger, aims to encourage people to donate to the charity in various ways, the money being spent on the Smallvania Nursery, which provides care and homes for many children and orphans.

The star of the show was of course the big Winnie the Pooh, who wears a trademark white sleeve with red dots on it over his eye, while smiling endlessly in his yellow fur. He danced around the stage with a bucket which people filled up with various coins and cheques.

The show, starting on the Toyland Network at 2 o'clock in the afternoon yesterday, went on until 6.30am this morning, non-stop. It featured a variety of entertainment. Nazzy Star sung the official Little Toys in Need charity single, entitled 'The Greatest Love of All', a cover version of a George Benson song. The song contains the appropriate lines 'I believe the children are our future,
Teach them well and let them lead the way '. Critics said Nazzy was simply using the charity to try and restart her failing singing career, which ended some years ago.

Other highlights included King Chris volunteering to have custard pies thrown at his face, and Jonathan Bramble sitting in a bath tub full of Bramble Baked Beans. Sabrina Spellman performed a few magic tricks and even King Cheeky of Boston donated an old portrait of himself to be sold to raise money.

Also part of the show, the new voice of the Toyland Speaking Clock was announced. The competitors were Lizzie McGuire, Queen Spurry of Smallvania, Sabrina Spellman, Natalie Star, and the only male competitor, postman Ryan Atwood. Ryan won the honour, with many voters saying they chose him because all of the other competitors had the same voice.

'Wawww I'm delighted to be the new voice of the Speaking Clock! Wawww just dial 123 and you'll hear me tell you "Waww at the first beep, the time will be waww! 12.24 and 3 seconds exactly!"'

Mrs Dalmation, who runs the Toyland Nursery, said she was hugely thankful for the kindess of everyone in Toyland who donated to the appeal.

TE