WINCHESTER children put their skills to the test to raise money for Children in Need last Friday (Nov 16).

Almost 60 children took part in a judo throwathon at River Park Leisure Centre on Friday, dressed in their pyjamas.

Three different classes were challenged by instructor Pauline Goater to see how many throws they could make in a minute-and-a-half.

Pauline, who has been teaching judo classes at the centre for 22-years, said “It’s a lot longer than you would think and some of our advanced children can probably do around 40 throws in that time.

“We asked parents to sponsor them and are looking to raise as much as we can for a good cause. The children were very happy to do it and I think they were most excited about wearing their pyjamas.”

The classes are divided into five-to-eight-year-olds, eight-to-10-year-olds and 11-to-17-year-olds.

It is the second time they have done a throwathon for Children in Need, raising around £200 two years ago.

Michelle Woodcock, of Colley Close, Abbotts Barton, whose six-year-old daughter Lily takes judo, added: “The children love judo classes here. I think the best part of today for them is seeing the instructors in their pyjamas though.”