Nicola ClemmitThe One Show’s Matt Baker, or you may remember him as Strictly Come Dancing’s 2010 runner up, will be travelling to York today on his Rickshaw challenge from Edinburgh to London in aid of Children in Need.
Matt set off from Edinburgh on Friday 11th November and travelled 53.5 miles to Hawick. On Saturday he travelled another 59.2 miles to Hexham before journeying a further 49 miles to Barnard Castle on Sunday. He arrives in York on Monday, more than likely looking a little worn from the massive 78 mile journey from Barnard Castle to York. On Tuesday he will continue his journey out of York on to Lincoln, Peterborough, Cambridge and finally reaching his destination at the Television Centre in London on Friday 18th November in time for Children in Need.
To track Matt’s 484 milejourney visit the website here or tune in to the One Show every week night as they greet him at his destination.
The BBC’s Children in Need Appeal first started back in 1927 on Christmas day as a five minute broadcast appeal for children. £1,143 18s 3d was raised, far more than anyone expected, with the donations split between four prominent children’s charities.
1955 saw the first televised appeal which has developed with the legendary telethon, the iconic Terry Wogan and the immortal Pudsey Bear to become the phenomenal annual event that Children in Need is today. Up to this day the appeal has raised over £600 million, a real testament to the Great British spirit.
Children in Need is about developing and sustaining a UK society where every child has a childhood which is safe, happy, secure and allows every child a chance to reach their potential. A lot of us would take this as a given, but there are so many children out there that need our help, our support, our donations, our compassion, our Great British spirit.
Every penny from the money you raise or donate is committed to supporting disadvantaged children and young people in the UK who need our help the most. This is due to the use of investment income and Gift Aid to cover all running costs. The charity therefore promises your money makes a real difference.
The charity offers grants to organisations in the UK who work with these disadvantaged children and young people, ranging from services for children with mental, physical or sensory disabilities to behavioural and psychological disorders to those living in poverty or situations of deprivation or those children who are suffering through distress, abuse or neglect. This UK charity supports all parts of the UK from north to south and east to west. They also support organisations regardless of how small or large. The key is to empower children and extend and enrich their lives and their choices.
Grants from Children in Need this year have been given to a number of York based charities. Relate York & Harrogate have been awarded £78,459 to provide play therapy and counselling sessions for children and young people who have experienced family breakdowns and problems. Riding Lights Theatre Company in York have been given £22,013 for a youth theatre project for disabled young people to develop confidence, communication and social skills, and develop the ability to co-operate with others. York Carers Centre received £89,453 towards providing support and activities for young carers to improve well being, confidence, coping mechanisms and to give them a break from their caring duties.
So as you can see our donations, support, fundraising and our concern is paid back into our own local community as well as nationally. So tune into the BBC Children in Need Appeal this Friday Evening on BBC One at 19:30 for an evening of entertainment from our nation’s most loved celebrities. That is if you aren’t holding your own fundraising event, you can find plenty of ideas and tips here.
In addition to this the charity has a number of corporate sponsors who are offering us easy and convenient ways to support this year’s appeal.
ASDA have supported Children in Need for 11 years and have raised over £11 million. So why not pop in to your local ASDA and see if something from their line of Children in Need clothing, baking goods, toys and or everyday groceries takes your fancy?
Greggs raised more than £900,000 in 2010 and are aiming high again this year. Pop in to a local branch and pick up a special BBC Children in Need cupcake, doughnut or Meal Deal.
Boots raised over £550,000 last year and are again offering a range of BBC Children in Need products including super soft Pudsey and Blush bears and ears, key rings and wristbands and exclusive Nail Rock nail wraps.
The Post Office, Parcel force and Royal Mail also raised around £500,000 last year. If you find yourself in a branch why not make an easy donation using one of their fundraising buckets or purchase a BBC Children in Need wristband?
B&Q are already donning their polka dots and are offering a spotty home ware range to brighten up your home.
Another way to make a donation is by dropping into Nationwide, an official ‘Ways to Pay’ partner for this year’s appeal. While you are in their why not take a look at the Pudsey key rings and spotty wristbands on offer?
Why not shake up your lunch or dinner this week and visit Frankie and Benny’s for a Pudsey Pizza? There are four designs available with £1 donated to BBC Children in Need for every pizza sold.
Looking for Christmas present ideas for the kids? Or just want something to keep their attention for a while? LEGO UK has created a unique Lego Pudsey Bear with all LEGO profits being donated to BBC Children in Need.
With all these easy and convenient ways of contributing to this years Children in Need appeal we really have no reason for not making at least a small contribution, whether it be a doughnut break at Greggs or a T-shirt from ASDA, lets pull together and help our children in need.
Let us know what you have planned for this year’s Children in Need Appeal.
