Groups in Jill Dando's hometown Weston-super-Mare in charity push

Businesses and charities across Weston-super-Mare are raising money for mental health charities this week in honour of Jill Dando who died 25 years ago.

Churches, cafes and even the Grand Pier are part of the tea, coffee and cake seven day marathon.

Jill Dando, who was born in the Somerset town, was shot dead outside her home in London, in April 1999.

Pupils at Worle Academy will be attending a special event in the Jill Dando news centre.

Jill's older brother Nigel said: "Jill has been an inspirational figure, not least for all the students involved with the news centres which bear her name.

"The tea and cake scheme is a wonderful idea, not least because it will benefit a number of good causes. And of course coffee and walnut cake was a big family favourite."

The Grand Pier director, Michelle Michael said: "We are delighted to be in partnership with Jill Dando News and the celebrations of Jill's fantastic life and expanding legacy."

Jill Dando News was launched in 2017 out of Jill's former school, Worle Academy in Weston-super-Mare, after students at nearby Priory Academy - also part of The Priory Learning Trust - sowed the seeds of the ground-breaking project.

Expanding ever since, it now benefits hundreds of children aged 7 to 18 in spreading good, ethical news across Somerset and as far reaching as Africa, a continent Jill had a big heart for.