A PENSIONER recovering from serious injuries decided to combine her rehabilitation exercises with a fundraising effort for Comic Relief.

And Esmee Nicholls says if she can do something for the charity, then others should too.

Today is Red Nose Day, the highlight of the Comic Relief appeal which culminates with a fundraising show on BBC One at 7pm.

The show will include a much-anticipated short sequel to the rom-com Love Actually.

Founded in 1985 by comic Lenny Henry and writer Richard Curtis, Comic Relief has helped millions in the UK and around the world by funding a multitude of different projects.

It relies on wacky and weird fundraisers to support its work.

With Red Nose Day back today – it is held every two years – people of all ages in Dorset will be supporting the cause.

People in Dorset and across the South donated more than £4.1million for Red Nose Day 2015.

Since that time, the charity has awarded 200 grants in the region worth more than £1.5 million.

Adding to this year’s total is Esmee, 75, from Littlemoor, Weymouth who did a whip round among family members for her ‘sponsored walk’.

Esmee, 75, broke her hip after tripping up on a path near her home on New Year’s Day.

After a hip operation at Dorset County Hospital she was back at home after a few days as doctors noted she was fit and active for her age.

Up until recently she was using crutches to walk, and as part of her daily exercise she walks up and down her road.

She said: “After I saw Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry on The One Show promoting this year’s appeal I decided I would make a donation. As I was doing a daily walk anyway I asked my family for sponsorship and went up and down the road three times.

“I think it’s a great cause because it supports lots of different charities. There but for the grace of God we go and I think if you can do something for someone else that has to be good.”

Esmee is looking forward to leading an active life again, including going back to volunteer at the Sue Ryder charity shop at Littlemoor.

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