A DORCHESTER family put the fun in fundraising for Comic Relief after making a giant red nose and taking it on a tour around the county town.

James Beal, 4, thought of the idea and together with his eight-year-old brother Joseph and mum Glyn, set about creating the red nose out of spare craft material in the house.

Click here to see our Red Nose Day picture gallery

Mum Glyn said the nose took just one evening to make and the boys, who both attend Broadmayne First School, thought they could be sponsored for looking after the nose.

She said: “We saw the TV adverts for Comic Relief which claim it costs just £10 to look after two children in Africa – the boys were inspired by this and wanted to raise as much money as they could.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever done something like this; the best thing is the red nose cost me nothing at all to make because we already had the craft material.

“We’ve been on a tour around Dorchester with the nose, even the Dorchester Library, and the boys have really loved the whole idea.”

James and Joseph set themselves a very ambitious fundraising target of £100, but have so far raised more than double that at £250.

A raffle has also been arranged and will be held at Broadmayne First School this Saturday. Businesses in Dorchester have been generous by donating prizes for the raffle, including an Easter egg from the House of Dorchester chocolate shop on Poundbury and a vanity mirror from Goulds department store on South Street.

Glyn added: “We all want to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated towards the raffle and to the people who have even donated while we’ve been wandering round Dorchester.

“We’re hoping to do a similar fundraising idea next year and we’re hoping this becomes a regular effort.”

Goulds staff member Angela Coward commended Glyn, Joseph and James on their fundraising efforts and said it was a case of doing whatever the store could to help.

She said: “A very well done to the whole family; their fundraising efforts have been amazing.”

Remember to send in your fundraising photos for our online gallery, just like the staff at  Brewhouse and Kitchen in Dorchester.

Today they will be serving their special red Nose Day ‘Old Nosey’ beer, with 20p from each pint going to the charity cause.

Anyone arriving at the pub who has made their face ‘funny for money’ will receive a free pint for a £1 donation to their Comic Relief Fund.

Send in your fundraising pictures to newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk.

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