A Kent weekly has donated a portion of its cover price towards helping a young cancer sufferer.

The Sheerness Times Guardian based on the Isle of Sheppey donated 5p out of every 65p copy sold to the Oliver Smith Appeal.

Three-year-old Oliver has the aggressive cancer neuroblastoma and his family are aiming to raise £150,000.

The cash is needed to pay for a trip to Germany for treatment which the youngster will need if his condition gets worse.

Staff at the KM Group-owned paper newspaper began campaigning to raise funds in June and so far more than £42,000 has been collected.

Editor Matt Ramsden said: “Our readers have responded brilliantly to the campaign and we felt that as well as the coverage we’re giving, we should also put our money where our mouth is.

“Sheppey isn’t the most affluent part of the world and times are tough, but that hasn’t stopped people from digging deep and supporting this little lad.

Matt Ramsden outside Times Guardian office with Oliver Smith

“By giving away 5p per copy, we hope to do our bit and further edge the fund to the £150,000 total. We’re proud of our readers for getting behind the campaign and we’re proud to support Oliver.”

Oliver recently celebrated his third birthday and editorial, commercial and newspaper sales staff had all agreed they wanted to do something special.

In line with the campaign the front windows of the paper’s offices were covered with ‘We’re Backing Oliver’ posters while special bills went out across Sheppey.