THE SANDBANKS to Studland ferry has been overrun by ‘pirates’ for the day in aid of Comic Relief.

For one day only, motorists can board the boat which has been decorated to look like a pirate ship, complete with a skull and crossbones flag flying in the wind, bunting and red space hoppers on the front and back to look like Red Noses.

Staff have eye patches, hats, stripy T-shirts, beards and even a monkey costume and hat to become the Jolly Roger’s crew and have been shaking buckets all week as the Bramble Bush Bay chain ferry transports passengers between Poole and Purbeck.

Gareth Davies, who works on the ferry, said that the total so far today tops £1,200 thanks to generous donations from commuters.

 

The idea behind it, says creator Steve Wilson, is to raise as much money as possible for the good cause while raising a smile with the ferry’s commuters.

He said: “I decided that I wanted to put the skull and crossbones flags on the ferry and then the assistant general manager, Sue Marsh, suggested that we dress up as pirates.

“We have never done anything on the ferry like this before, but the response we have had has been fantastic.

“Quite a number of people have been appreciative of what we’re doing and have congratulated us on it."

Red Nose Day, which was launched in 1988, takes place every two years and encourages people from across the UK to get creative at their school, club, workplace or home to raise funds.

This year’s slogan for the campaign is Do Something Funny for Money, to inspire the public to give generously to help those in need in Britain and overseas.