Organisations across South East London have been proudly showing off their spots to go dotty for Demelza.

Go Dotty for Demelza encourages groups or individuals to sport polka dot or take part in dotty activities during Children’s Hospice Week, from May 18 to 25 and raise vital funds for Demelza Hospice Care for Children.

More than 180 organisations took part in this year’s fundraising week.

In the Bexley area Sidcup-based Coca-Cola Enterprises had a dotty cake sale, a guess the number of sweets competition, a raffle and a quiz to win a Coke bike.

The company is also doing a cycleathon for the 70 days of The Olympic Torch Relay with an aim of staff completing a few miles each to reach 1,000 miles altogether.

L&Q in Sidcup had a `celebrity’ appearance from Dot Cotton aka PJ Warner who sold tea and cake around the building with the Eastenders theme tune playing in the background.

Staff member Tricia Hemens also dressed up as a ladybug and there was a guess the number of M&Ms in the jar competition and a raffle.

Alsford Timber, who are based in Erith, asked staff and customers to support a dot for a minimum donation of £5. Five lorries could then be spotted across the South East sporting dots.

Staff at Demelza’s hospice in Eltham also got involved having a dot tea party and staff dressing up with everything from clown costumes to a dotty shower cap being sported.

Although it is a fun campaign the reason behind it is a serious one. Mum Maureen whose son Calvin comes to Demelza’s hospice in Eltham explained why the hospice was so important to her family: “Demelza has helped my family in so many ways that I really do not have the right words to express how grateful I am for their work.

“Calvin goes for respite at Demelza and that means it is mummy time. I can go for a hair do, go shopping or get to watch those recorded movies.

"I also get to reserve some time for my daughter, Belinda. We both rely on Demelza to give us this much needed break.“ Natalie Tegg, Demelza’s Head of Partnerships said: “It is so great not only to see how many groups and companies have got behind Go Dotty this year but also how imaginative they have been.

"It is a fun way to support Demelza and it really does make such a difference to the work we can do with families like Calvin’s.”

Based on information supplied by .