DRUMMING for Life beat out a rhythm for three-and-a-half hours and raised around £300 for children with cancer.

“I can’t run, but I can drum,” said Bournemouth youth worker Joe Musker, who organises two sponsored drumming sessions a year to raise funds for charity.

Eight drummers aged from 12 to 62 took part in the non-stop drum which took place in the youth club at Winton recreation ground.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Joe, a former professional drummer.

“I just love doing it. It’s so popular with all the kids when they come to Winton Recreation Ground Youth Club.”

They were helped out by musicians from Bournemouth band Electric Panda for the drumming marathon.

“It was great,” said Joe.

Delicious cupcakes made by Helen Owen proved so popular that 40 were consumed during the event.

And her son Jordan Owen, 17, raised a magnificent £315 in sponsorship towards the £634 raised during the last drum marathon in August, for Macmillan Cancer Care and the Breast Cancer Unit at Poole Hospital.

His reward was a cymbal, presented by Joe during the event.

“We all had a great time,” said Joe. That’s what it’s all about. I just love passing on what I have learnt to the youngsters now.”

This time the Youth Cancer Trust is to benefit from the sponsored drum and, with just over £256 raised so far, they hope the total will exceed £300.

Joe, who moved to Bournemouth in the 1980s from Liverpool, played with bands including Dead or Alive and Echo and The Bunnymen.