Wonderwall at Bognor Regis hospital fete

Sofia conquered the climbing wall which formed the centrepiece at the war memorial hospital's annual fundraiser three times.

She said: "I kind of enjoyed it. It was quite hard because I had never done anything like this before and I should have been wearing trainers rather than flip-flops.

"It was a bit scary at the top, but it was fun as well."

Sofia was taken to the fete in the hospital's Shripney Road grounds by her mother, Katia Callander, 32.

The pair had probably travelled the furthest among the thousands of people who went along last Saturday.

Mrs Callander said: "We live in Marbella in Spain. I used to live in Bognor and we've come back to Bognor on holiday.

"I've come to the fete to support the hospital because I used to come here years ago. There's a lot going on in the fete, much more than there used to be, which is good."

Climbing wall joint operator Evonne Hooson said about 25 children had made it to the top of the polymer wall, complete with fossils, halfway through the three-hour long fete.

"The wall has been really popular. Children love it wherever we go," she said.

"We were here last year, but it was such a washout that it doesn't count. So this is our first 'proper' year."

The hospital's Friends were delighted with the success of the fete after the 2009 downpour.

Anita Sturdey, the charity's fundraising co-ordinator, said: "We raised around 3,400, which is 1,000 more than last year, and we are pleased with that.

"The crowds poured in even before we officially started at 1pm. Stallholders had to hold off from selling too early in order to get their stalls stocked up.

"Many of the stalls such as the physiotherapy department's bottle stall and the Middleton Wives' bric-a-brac were significantly up on last year's figures.

"That was very encouraging as we had last minute panics due to not having much stock. As usual, staff and patients rallied round and brought lots in at the last minute for which we owe a huge thanks."

Mike's Music Jazz Band created a jolly atmosphere with their tunes as face painting to cream teas to tombolas provided plenty for people of all ages to enjoy.

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