STRATFORD has gone fund-raising mad this week as communities come together to raise cash for Children in Need today.

Everyone from pub regulars to pre-school children has dreamed up a special event to raise as much as possible for the BBC charity, which aims to help disadvantaged and disabled youngsters.

Among the fund-raisers this week were tots at Caring Kindergartens of Stratford who organised a week of events, including a sponsored silence, a fair and, today, they will be joining this year's theme of going dotty by wearing spots to nursery.

Last year, the group raised £2,300 and it already looks as if that total will be bettered.

Manager of the Bell Inn at Welford, Brian Arnold joined pub regular Matt Beacham to rattle a bucket on a sponsored pub crawl last week.

The pair visited a string of inns, including the New Inn at Clifford Chambers and the Slug and Lettuce, Bar Humbug and the Oddfellows in Stratford and generous revellers donated £163.18.

The bucket now has pride of place on the bar at the Bell and the final contents will be totted up after tonight's TV broadcast.

Disabled Stratford High student Neil Hancock will be joined by friends on a sponsored walk around the physiotherapy unit at Stratford Hospital today as he aims to better a total he made on a similar walk five years ago.

Brave Neil, aged 16, will be using walking aids to make his journey, which should take around an hour.