USUALLY, the adventurous people at Liverpool PR agency Paver Smith like their events to go off without a hitch, but not this time as they are really pushing the boat out with their latest fundraising challenge.

They are taking part in a raft race on West Kirby Marine Lake, and want to raise £1,500 for the Jellybean Kids' Appeal – which is aiming to raise £80,000 towards a paediatric cardiac scanner.

The team can be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/paversmith

Barrel hitches and square lashings will be crucial for the team (quick tip: for speed, use bamboo lashings instead), who can more commonly be found keeping their clients out of deep water. The ten-strong crew have – rather optimistically, we fear – named themselves “Team Shock and Oar”.

Let’s hope they don’t sink without trace.

THERE are grammatical errors and then there are Marks & Spencer grammatical errors.

Spotted on a rare foray out of Trading Gossip Towers, a sign outside the M&S Church Street store, above, helpfully advised: “Customers wishing to queue for the penny bizarre, please use our entrance on Basnett Street.”

Bizarre, indeed.

EVERYONE’S second-favourite football team – no, not Newcastle United – Convocation FC's Alumni team – have, in a good omen for Evertonians, turned from cloggers into cup-winners.

The “mighty” Convo claimed the Sealand Cup last week with a 6-3 victory.

Convo's ubiquitous central midfielder, Joel Jelen, shied away from pointing out their 11-game unbeaten run had coincided with his return to the team after a 12-month absence with a foot injury and instead sought to pass the credit on. Ironic, because we are led to believe that passing isn’t his strong point.

He said: “Master tacticians including former Government Office North West chief John Flamson and Liverpool regeneration consultant Paul Dickson should be largely apportioned the credit.”