THERE was a lot of clowning around at a fancy dress charity walk in Musselburgh on Saturday.

Organised by the darts team at The Riverside Tavern, the event was one of several held throughout the year which raised a total of £7,787.

The cash was divided between Prostate Scotland, which helps prostate cancer sufferers, and ward 1, unit 4, oncology, for patients with cancer at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh – each receiving £3,893.

The latter was chosen as the darts team’s captain, Michael Burgess, was treated there for leukaemia.

“I wanted to give something back as they really looked after us,” he said.

The walk was the pub’s fourth and final charity event of the year and followed a bowls competition, eight-hour darts marathon and darts competition. Participants walked six miles from The Riverside to Portobello via the promenade.

In April, a thief stole the pub’s collection bottle containing about £400 but local taxi owner John Cullen stepped in to hold a bonus ball fundraiser when he heard about the break-in.

Over 32 years, the pub’s darts team has raised more than £100,000 for different charities. Led by John Campbell from Whitecraig, the players have held everything from collections to 12-hour darts marathons and competitions, and annual fancy dress sponsored walks during their time based at the Deantown Bowling Club and former Dolphin Inn at Whitecraig, and now The Riverside.

Mr Campbell said: “I’d like to thank everyone who supported our events.”