THE Yate and Chipping Sodbury community rallied round over the weekend to raise thousands of pounds for Corin’s First Steps.

Events were held in the two towns on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to raise money for three-year-old Corin Potts, from Yate, who was born with cerebral palsy and cannot walk. The youngster needs a £30,000 operation to enable him to take his first steps.

On Friday, the Portcullis Hotel in Chipping Sodbury hosted a ladies’ night featuring an Ann Summers party and raised £750 for the appeal.

On Saturday, Raysfield Pre-School held a sponsored walk with pupils pounding the streets to raise more funds for Corin.

Also on Saturday, Yate vehicle hire company Pearce Bros held a lipstick and dipstick day featuring a DJ and beat boxer which proved popular despite the rain.

Organiser Deborah Powell said a last minute decision to erect a marquee had saved the day.

“It was a really nice day,” she said. “We were neither exceptionally busy or quiet, it was just somewhere inbetween. We had about 30 women through our workshop who have given some really positive feedback.”

The event raised £876, which will be split bewtween Corin’s First Steps and Friends of South Gloucestershire Strays.

Pearce Bros is still selling membership cards at £3 each with proceeds going to each charity. Visit www.pearcebros.com

On Sunday, the Gazette teamed up with The Squire Inn, in Chipping Sodbury, for a charity quiz night in aid of Corin’s First Steps.

Around 20 teams competed in the fun, general knowledge quiz and together with a raffle and auction of meals, the event raised a total of £1,031 which was rounded up to £1,100 by the pub.

Manager Mark Lewington said: “Big thanks to everyone who supported the night. We weren’t sure how it was going to turn out but I knew we were going to be okay when I ended up running around with extra tables and chairs trying to get everybody seated.”