What is Children in Need?

BBC Children in Need supports organisations that help children with all kinds of problems, such as physical, emotional and social difficulties, across the UK. Children in Need has been performing this role since the 1920s, when it was a five-minute radio appeal, broadcast on December 25, 1927, raising the equivalent of almost £30,000¹.

Pudsey Bear is the yellow, eye-bandaged bear mascot of the appeal. He's been around for several appeals, and appears everywhere on the telethon.

Children in Need on TV

Children in Need first appeared on the nations TV in 1955, again at Christmas, and for the next two decades, it remained a December appeal. The first TV broadcast for Children in Need was supported by Sooty. Its first telethon appeal was in 1980, and this was the first time that the Grand Total topped the £1m mark. This year's appeal is the 22nd annual TV appearance. So far, almost £300 million has been raised. The charity gives out grants to charities that help make British childrens' lives just that little bit better.

Who are you helping?

When you make a donation to Children in Need, you're helping some of the many thousand children who have serious illnesses such as cancer, those who are abused in the home or elsewhere, or are subject to domestic violence. It helps those who have felt forced to leave home because of this. Also, it supports those children who are relatives of those with serious illness, those who have lost siblings to accident or ill health, those who have nowhere else to turn.

How do people get involved in Children in Need?

All kinds of people fundraise for Children in Need, in a huge number of different ways. Certain groups of people are particlularly good at having some fun in aid of charity - like the presenters on BBC WM, the BBC local radio station for Birmingham, the West Midlands and Warwickshire, who have been putting in a huge effort for years. In 2001, WM's Carl Chinn MBE spent a week in West Bromwich helping listeners to build a safe play area for children, funded largely from contributions made by the region's listeners. Several celebrities also take part in the telethon, donate clothes for auction, or perform at one of the many regional telethon concerts.

Of course, it's not just the stars that get involved. The whole idea is that everyone can take part. Year after year, thousands call 0845 607 3333 or email [email protected] and request a fundraising pack. Swimathons, car washing, dressing up, sponsored events and shows are all commonplace - the wackier the better! Along with the baking of cakes and other fundraising fun, there are ways to help out on the high street as well. There's a range of Christmas cards designed by Blue Peter viewers, with proceeds going to Children in Need, as well as Thomas Cook collecting unwanted foreign money to help the appeal, and in 2001 there were special disposable cameras made for the event by Fuji.

A scheme called Gift Aid also means that, by ticking a box on the donation form, the taxman will give 28p for every £1 donation to the appeal, if you are eligible for tax. Last year, the scheme boosted the total raised by £1 million!

Finally, the BBC Shop runs a range of merchandise including Pudsey T-Shirts, sweatshirts and cuddly toys.

Donating

Last year, almost £20m was raised to help these people, but the support needs our donations to continue. Every penny is used to help these people, with administrative work paid for from the interest.

You can donate online, and find out further donation details, at the Children In Need site. There's also a donation hotline on 08457 33 22 33. Most major credit and debit cards are accepted.

Cheques and Postal Orders can be sent to:
BBC Children in Need Appeal
PO Box 76
London
W3 6FS

Donations can also be made at any bank or building society, via a special paying-in slip, or at the Post Office through 'Freepay 1066'.