CHILDREN at two Teesside play centres took part in a marathon with a difference, to help youngsters suffering from leukaemia.

About 30 children from the Oscar play centres, at Owton Manor Community Centre and Boys Welfare Youth Centre, both in Hartlepool, took part in the Children's Marathon Challenge as part of a national fundraising campaign.

The youngsters had to name 26 items of the same subject matter, such as football players, pizza toppings, cartoon characters and fruit and vegetables.

They raised more than £468 in sponsorship.

Sandra Robinson, scheme co-ordinator for the Oscar play centres, said: "I would like to thank all the children who took part in the fundraising event and everyone who sponsored them. We raised a substantial amount of money for a very worthy cause.

"We had the option to retain half of the proceeds, to spend on equipment, but the children were determined that all of the money should be donated to the leukaemia charity."