Alistair McNair receives 186 sponges to the face in Hollingbury

Alistair McNair, councillor for Patcham and Hollingbury, raised money for the Old Boat Corner community centre in Carden Hill, Brighton. The stall was part of Hollingbury’s annual summer fun day.

Locals could throw three sponges for one pound at the conservative councillor, which raised £62 in total. Cllr McNair faced 186 sponge throws from residents on the day.

Cllr McNair said: “The summer fun day at Old Boat Community Centre was great fun and quite summery.

“Summer fayres are still an important part of the community calendar, helping to build local spirit; and it is good to see this event resume after the pandemic.

All ages got involved with the action. Pictures from Mike Page.

“It was great to see so many stalls and visitors which is testament to the super dynamic management team at the community centre. Residents got well and truly into the spirit of the day and I was glad to play my part."

While he prefers trying to tackle local issues such as resident's bins overflowing rather than facing sponges, Cllr McNair said it was good to raise money for the centre.

He said: “I think on the whole I prefer difficult questions from residents to wet sponges, but it was well worth it to help raise money for the centre, which provides a home to so many great local groups.

The community centre. Pictures from Mike Page.

“I am now looking forward to the Old Boat Community Centre Christmas fayre, snowballs instead of sponges?”

Overall the fayre, which was on September 12, raised over £1000 for the community centre.

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.