Littlehampton mayor Emma gallops away with a grand sum

However, as Littlehampton’s mayor Emma Neno has proved, time and time again, a flair for creative and sometimes wacky ideas seems to be the perfect recipe, as riding on wooden toys helped her gallop away with a extra £1,000 for her annual fund-raising kitty.

Emma, who enrolled the help of one of the town’s former mayors, Wendy Squires, is now rounding the corner into the final furlong of her mayoral ambition of raising £20,000, which will be split between her two chosen good causes.

Her latest evening, at Littlehampton’s badminton and squash centre, in Sparks Court, is just another, in a growing line of successful charity bonanzas which have already led her to smashing the fund-raising record set by any mayor in Littlehampton’s history.

“It was an absolutely brilliant night,” admitted Emma.

“It was madness how a room full of grown adults can have such a great night on wooden hobby-horses.

“It’s something that you would never really have thought of. But it was superb.

“The atmosphere was absolutely incredible.”

Littlehampton’s own “Grand National” saw around 80 jockeys taking part in eight different, fun-filled races, all sponsored by a number of businesses and charities in the town.

Most of the riders themselves were also sponsored during the event, which helped to support Emma’s two chosen charities, Cancerwise and Home-Start Arun.

The race was organised by Wendy and her husband, Littlehampton town and Arun district councillor Tony Squires.

Wendy said the hobby-horse race had in the town originated during her term in office, more than 10 years ago.

She said that it was something that she and Tony loved to do to support charities and good causes in the area.

“We like to host these races three or four times a year,” said Wendy. “They’re brilliant fun.”

Emma’s already-record-breaking total has now reached £18,000.

She added: “I’m always looking to do events that can appeal to everyone of all ages. That’s what’s really important.

“The two charities do mean so much to me so I’m just trying to do my best to support them.

“I never go in expecting to raise x-amount of cash. So I’m always amazed at all the generosity people show when the come to support my events.”

Emma thanked all those who supported the night.

She also wished to praise Littlehampton fish and chip shop, Oscar’s, based in Pier Road, for keeping all the riders’ stomachs comfortably full.