By ROSALIND SAUL rsaul@cngroup.co.uk

Last updated at 08:03, Wednesday, 13 March 2013

SCARLET fever is spreading through the district as preparations for Red Nose Day get under way.

Taking part in a Comic Relief bike ride from Ponteland to Alnwick are, from left, Michael Murphy, Andrew Dobinson, Craig Stewart, Jack Denham and Tom Fenwick.

The national Comic Relief fund-raiser on Friday, March 15 has already inspired plenty of people to get involved.

In Ponteland, a team of Sainsbury's staff cycled from their local store to the Alnwick branch – or intended to, anyway.

In reality, one rider, Michael Murphy, was forced to drop out due to injury a few miles in, while two others had to take a detour following a wrong turn.

In the end, as time was ticking and snow starting to fall, the team turned back before reaching Alnwick, generating around £260 for Comic Relief, despite the setbacks.

Keeping up the momentum, the Ponteland Sainsbury’s will be continuing to raise funds in the store.

After raising £300 at a charity football match for last year’s Children in Need, Prudhoe’s Richard Robson has rallied the troops again.

The shift manager at the One Stop Shop in Prudhoe has got community members together for another fund-raising match – this time for Comic Relief – at Prudhoe High School on Saturday, March 23.

“Since the last one was so popular, people have kept asking if we’ll do another,” he said. “We’ve got 24 people signed up to play and One Stop strips too.”

A collection has started at Prudhoe’s One Stop and kick off is at 11am.

It is not just the adults having all the fun, however, as Henshaw First School pupils are looking forward to one big slumber party.

Pupils will be dressed in their best pyjamas for Red Nose Day to raise money, which will be used to transform people’s lives both in the UK and across Africa.

First published at 07:39, Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk