New BBC Children in Need Pudsey and logo from 2007

BBC Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The definition of charitable organization, and of charity varies according to the country and in some instances the region of the country in which the charitable organization operates Since 1980 it has raised £470million.

Overview

The old Pudsey bear and logo, used from circa 1986 to 2007

Each year since 1980, the BBC has set aside one evening of programming on its flagship television channel, BBC One, to show events aimed at raising money for charities working with children in the UK. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located BBC coverage also extends across the BBC's other television channels and national and local radio channels. A mascot called 'Pudsey', a teddy bear with a bandage over one eye, was introduced in 1985 and has become a regular feature. The teddy bear is a stuffed Toy Bear. It is an enduring traditional form of a Stuffed animal, often serving the purpose of comforting children In 2007 Pudsey and the Children in Need logo were redesigned. Children in Need was registered as a charity in 1989.

The appeal gains the majority of its money from donations of private individuals who may themselves have raised the funds by taking part in sponsored events. Sponsored sitting in a bath of baked beans is a perennial favourite. Baked beans is a dish consisting of Beans baked (or despite the name usually stewed) in a Sauce. Companies also donate either money directly or benefits in kind, such as HSBC donating banking facilities, and BT donating telephone lines and operatives. HSBC Holdings plc ( (,,,) is a Public limited company incorporated in England and Wales, headquartered in London. BT Group plc (formerly British Telecommunications plc) which trades as BT (ˌbiːˈtiː bee tee) (previously known as British Telecom and still On the night of the televised appeal, donations are solicited by celebrities appearing on the seven-hour long programme performing various activities such as sketches or musical numbers, intermixed with featurettes showing what the money will be used for. Featured celebrities often include those from programmes on the BBC's rival ITV network, including some appearing in-character, and/or from the sets of their own programmes. Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters set up under the Independent A sketch by BBC newsreaders has become an annual fixture (in recent years, Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in 2005 and a 'James Bond' theme in 2006). Stars of newly-opened West End musicals regularly perform a number from their show later in the evening after 'curtain call' in their respective theatres. The total raised so far is frequently flashed on screen, with presenters urging viewers to part with "any penny they can spare" to help push the total beyond the target milestone.

Though Children in Need is welcomed by a large proportion of the British public, there are some who offer an alternative view, that the portrayal of children, particularly disabled children, as victims is unfortunate and counter-productive. It is argued that a change in social attitudes will benefit the disadvantaged more than money and public sympathy.

The money contributed to Children in Need is distributed to organisations supporting children aged 18 and under who have mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioural or psychological disorders; are living in poverty or situations of deprivation; or suffering through distress, abuse or neglect.

One charity that has had concern over some CIN grants has been Family & Youth Concern - ^[1]

History

The BBC's first broadcast appeal for children took place in 1927, in the form of a five-minute radio broadcast on Christmas Day. Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It raised about £1,143, which equates to about £27,150 by today's standards. The annual appeal format transferred to television in 1955 and continued each Christmas Day until 1979. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) The mascot, Pudsey Bear, was created by Joanna Ball. The bear was named after her home town of Pudsey, West Yorkshire, where her grandfather was mayor. Pudsey is a Market town and Suburb of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England, between Bradford and Leeds ^[2]

The first televised appeal took place in 1955 and was called the Children's Hour Christmas Appeal, with Sooty and Harry Corbett fronting it. Sooty is a British Glove puppet and TV character popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand Harry Corbett OBE (born Bradford, West Yorkshire, 28 January 1918 &mdash died 17 August 1989) was an The Christmas Day Appeals continued on TV and radio right up until 1979, with stars such as Terry Hall, Eamonn Andrews, Leslie Crowther and Michael Aspel. Terry Hall ( 20 November 1926 – 4 April 2007) born Terence Hall, was an English Ventriloquist. Eamonn Andrews, CBE (hon ( 19 December, 1922 &ndash 5 November, 1987) was an Irish born Television presenter Leslie Crowther, CBE ( 6 February 1933, Nottingham &ndash 29 September 1996, Bath) was an English Michael Terence Aspel OBE (born 12 January 1933) is an English Journalist and Television presenter. During that time a total of £625,836 was raised. Terry Wogan first appeared during this five-minute appeal in 1978, and again in 1979. Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE DL (born August 3 1938 more commonly known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish Radio and Television Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar)

New format: Telethon

The BBC's newsreaders have regularly taken part in a special act for the telethon: Michael Buerk and Peter Sissons are shown here in 2002. Michael Duncan Buerk (born February 18, 1946) is a BBC Journalist and newsreader, most famous for his reporting of the Ethiopian Peter George Sissons (born July 17, 1942 in Liverpool) is a television newsreader in the United Kingdom.

The first BBC "telethon" event—a single programme lasting a whole evening devoted to raising money—was held in 1980. A telethon is a Fundraising event broadcast on Television that lasts many hours or even days the purpose of which is to raise Money for a charitable political The new format, presented by Terry Wogan, Sue Lawley and Esther Rantzen, saw a dramatic increase in public donations: £1 million was raised that year. Sue Lawley (born 14 July 1946) is an English broadcaster Born in Sedgley, Staffordshire, England and brought up in Esther Louise Rantzen CBE (born) is an English Journalist and Television presenter who is best known for her long stint in That's The telethon format has been retained each year since and grown in scope to incorporate further events broadcast on radio and online.

The 2003 event took place in November, raising £15 million on the night and £30 million when all donations were collected. It was once again hosted by Terry Wogan, who has become firmly associated with the annual event, and Gaby Roslin. Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE DL (born August 3 1938 more commonly known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish Radio and Television Gaby Roslin (born July 12 1964) is an English Television presenter and Actress. The 2004 appeal was held on 19 November and billed as Children in Need's 25th anniversary "celebrating 25 years of fun and fundraising". Events 1095 - The Council of Clermont, called by Pope Urban II to discuss sending the First Crusade to the Holy Land £17m was raised on the night. The 2005 appeal was hosted by Terry Wogan, Fearne Cotton and Natasha Kaplinsky, and included special performances from David Tennant and Billie Piper, stars of Doctor Who. Fearne Cotton (born 3 September 1981 is an English Presenter known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops Natasha Margaret Kaplinsky (born 9 September 1972 is an English newsreader. David Tennant (born David John McDonald; 18 April 1971 is a Scottish Actor. Billie Paul Piper (born Lianne Paul Piper on 22 September 1982 is an English actress and pop Singer. Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. This event just beat the 2004 total when it raised £17,235,256.

Prior to the start of the Telethon, BBC Radio 2 hosts 4 days of fund-raising for Children In Need. Auctions are held during Terry Wogan's radio show (originally, these were also on many of the other presenters' shows). "Auctioneer" redirects here For the DC Comics supervillain see Auctioneer (comics. The Radio 2 events culminate with a music marathon, ending just as the Telethon starts. For the last few years, Radio 2 listeners have been able to raise in excess of one million pounds. In 2006, the music marathon was 13 hours long ^[3], and the cumulative total raised by Radio 2 listeners was over two million pounds ^[4]. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

Unlike the other BBC charity telethon "Comic Relief", Children in Need relies a lot on the BBC regions for input into the telethon night. The BBC English regions all have around 5-8 minute round-ups every hour during the telethon. This does not interrupt the schedule of items which is shown from BBC Television Centre as the host Terry Wogan usually hands over to the regions, giving those in the main network studio a short break. However BBC Scotland, BBC Wales and BBC Northern Ireland do opt-out of the network schedule with a lot of local fundraising news and activities from their broadcast area. Usually they will go over to the network broadcast at various times of the night, and usually they will show some network items later than when the English regions will see them. This is to give the BBC nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland a much larger slot than the BBC English regions because the "Nations" compromise a much larger and distinct audience of the BBC, compared to the English regions. Usually BBC Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland hands back to network coverage from around 1:00am in the telethon night.

Many pop music stars collaborate with Children In Need and sing in the telethon event. Recent contributors include Madonna, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Blue, Kylie Minogue, Spice Girls, Liberty X, Ronan Keating, Robbie Williams, McFly, Take That, Girls Aloud, Elliot Minor, Westlife, Keane, Boyzone, Leona Lewis, Sugababes, Joss Stone and The Feeling. Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16 1958 known as Madonna, is an American Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor (born 10 April 1979) is a multi- platinum selling British pop Singer and Songwriter Blue were an English pop Boy band consisting of four members Lee Ryan, Duncan James, Antony Costa, and Simon Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE, born 28 May 1968 is an Australian pop Singer - Songwriter and occasional Actress. The Spice Girls are a BRIT Award -winning English pop Girl group formed in 1994 Liberty X (originally called Liberty) were a Brit Award -winning pop vocal group formed from five contestants from the 2001 ITV show Popstars Ronan Keating (born March 3, 1977 in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish pop Singer who has had hits with boyband Robert Peter Maximilian Williams (born 13 February 1974) is an English singer Take That are an English pop Musical group consisting of members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Girls Aloud are a British Girl group created by ITV1 Talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002 Elliot Minor (formerly The Academy) are a classically influenced rock band formed in York England Westlife is an Irish pop band that was formed on 3 July 1998 They were signed on by Simon Cowell and are currently managed by Louis Walsh. Keane (kiːn are an English Piano rock band, first established in Battle, East Sussex in 1995, and taking their current Boyzone are an Irish boy band who had popular mainstream success during the 1990s Leona Louise Lewis (b 3 April 1985 is an English pop and R&B singer-songwriter and the winner of the third series of the United Kingdom television Sugababes are a BRIT Award -winning English pop group trio from London. Joss Stone (born Jocelyn Eve Stoker on 11 April 1987 is an English soul and R&B Singer-songwriter and actress. The Feeling is a five-piece BRIT award -nominated British band from Sussex and London.

BBC Children in Need became a registered charity in 1989. Its registered charity number is 802052.

Other presenters of the telethon have included: Sue Cook, Joanna Lumley (who famously partly disrobed after a viewer pledged a large sum of money), Roy Kinnear and Andi Peters. Sue Cook (born Susan Lorraine Thomas, in Ruislip Middlesex March 30 1949) is a British broadcaster and author For the sixteenth century translator see Jane Lumley. Joanna Lamond Lumley, OBE (born 1 May 1946) is an English Roy Mitchell Kinnear ( January 8, 1934 &ndash September 20, 1988) was a prolific English Character actor. Andi Peters (born 29 July 1970 in Chelsea, London) is an English Television presenter, Voice actor and

Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group announced on 27 June 2007 that it would donate all receipts from two special performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat's revived West End production to Children in Need, which would benefit from ticket sales for 16 July’s booked-out preview and the sold-out 16 November performance, the night of the telethon. Andrew Lloyd Webber Baron Lloyd-Webber (born 22 March 1948 is a British Composer of Musical theatre, the elder son of William Lloyd Webber The Really Useful Group (RUG is an international company set up in 1977 by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the second British Musical theatre show written by the team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London 's "Theatreland" Events 622 - The beginning of the Islamic calendar. 1054 - Three Roman legates fractured relations between the Western and Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published Cast members, the group added, would not get the usual first night gifts on 17 July – the money would, instead go to Children in Need

Recent events

2005

Main article: Children in Need 2005

The 2005 event was held on Friday November 18. Events 180 - Twelve inhabitants of Scillium in North Africa are executed for being Christians Children in Need 2005 was a campaign held in the United Kingdom to raise money for the charity Children in Need. Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull The television broadcast was hosted by Terry Wogan, Natasha Kaplinsky, Fearne Cotton, Matt Allwright with the voice of Alan Dedicoat. Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE DL (born August 3 1938 more commonly known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish Radio and Television Natasha Margaret Kaplinsky (born 9 September 1972 is an English newsreader. Fearne Cotton (born 3 September 1981 is an English Presenter known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops Matt Allwright (born 1970 is a British television journalist and presenter well renowned for his uniquely arrogant style and expertise on public consumer issues Alan "Deadly" Dedicoat (born 1 December 1954 in Hollywood in Worcestershire) is probably best known as the "Voice of the Balls" on the National Lottery The event raised £17,235,256 by the closing minute.

2006

Main article: Children in Need 2006

The 2006 event was held on Friday November 17. Children in Need 2006 was a campaign held in the United Kingdom to raise money for Children in Need. Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers The television broadcast was hosted by Terry Wogan, Natasha Kaplinsky, Fearne Cotton and Chris Moyles with Alan Dedicoat reading out the money raised at various points. Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE DL (born August 3 1938 more commonly known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish Radio and Television Natasha Margaret Kaplinsky (born 9 September 1972 is an English newsreader. Fearne Cotton (born 3 September 1981 is an English Presenter known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops Christopher Moyles (born 22 February 1974 is an English broadcaster from Leeds. Alan "Deadly" Dedicoat (born 1 December 1954 in Hollywood in Worcestershire) is probably best known as the "Voice of the Balls" on the National Lottery On average, the broadcast brought in 7. 72m viewers and raised a total of £18,300,392 by the closing minute.

2007

Main article: Children in Need 2007

The 2007 event was held on the evening of Friday November 16 through to the morning of Saturday 17 November and was hosted by Terry Wogan and Fearne Cotton, joined by other guest presenters throughout the night. Children in Need 2007 was a campaign held in the United Kingdom to raise money for Children in Need. Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE DL (born August 3 1938 more commonly known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish Radio and Television Fearne Cotton (born 3 September 1981 is an English Presenter known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops The voice over reading out hourly totals was Alan Dedicoat. Alan "Deadly" Dedicoat (born 1 December 1954 in Hollywood in Worcestershire) is probably best known as the "Voice of the Balls" on the National Lottery The event broke all previous records with a total of £19,089,771 raised by the end of the broadcast.

2008

The 2008 Children in need night will occur on Friday, November 14.

Official singles

Controversy

In 2007 Terry Wogan was reported to be the only celebrity paid for his participation in Children in Need, having received a fee every year since 1980 (£9,065 in 2005). Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Clannad are a Grammy Award -winning Irish musical group, from Gweedore ( Gaoth Dobhair) County Donegal. "Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn" is the third and last single released by Irish group Clannad from their album Macalla. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Suzi Quatro (born Susan Kay Quatronella, June 3 1950, Detroit, Michigan) is an American Singer-songwriter, Bronski Beat were a popular British Synth pop trio of the 1980s " Heroes " is a song written by David Bowie and Brian Eno in 1977 Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Lewis Allan Reed (born March 2 1942 is an American rock Singer-songwriter and Guitarist. " Perfect Day " is a song written by Lou Reed in 1972 Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Denise van Outen (born May 27 1974, Basildon, Essex) is an English Television presenter and actress. Johnny Vaughan (born July 16 1966) is an English Broadcaster and Journalist. " Especially for You " was the fifth international single released from singer Kylie Minogue in time for the Christmas 1988 market and is a duet with Jason Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Martine McCutcheon (born Martine Kimberley Sherri Ponting; May 14, 1976) is an English Singer, Television personality and 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. S Club, formerly known as S Club 7, was a pop group created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller. " Never Had a Dream Come True " is a song by S Club 7, released as a single on November 27, 2000. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. S Club, formerly known as S Club 7, was a pop group created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller. This article is about the S Club 7 song Have You Ever, for the Brandy song of the same name see Have You Ever?. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. William Robert Young (born 20 January 1979. Young's second album Friday's Child, was released in December 2003 " Don't Let Me Down " is a pop song written by Richard Stannard, Julian Gallagher D " You and I " is a pop song co-written by Ed Johnson H Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Shane Richie (born Shane Patrick Roche, 11 March 1964 Early life Born in Harlesden to Irish Catholic parents "I'm Your Man" was a song by British pop duo Wham!, released on Epic Records in 1985. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Girls Aloud are a British Girl group created by ITV1 Talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002 " I'll Stand by You " is a 1994 song recorded by The Pretenders from their sixth studio album Last of the Independents. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Liberty X (originally called Liberty) were a Brit Award -winning pop vocal group formed from five contestants from the 2001 ITV show Popstars A Night to Remember is a 1955 non-fiction book by Walter Lord about the sinking of the ocean liner R Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Emma Lee Bunton (born 21 January 1976) is an English pop Singer, Songwriter, and occasional actress. " Downtown " is a pop song composed by Tony Hatch following a first-time visit to New York City. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Spice Girls are a BRIT Award -winning English pop Girl group formed in 1994 " Headlines (Friendship Never Ends " is a song performed by British group the Spice Girls. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common To be confirmed, often abbreviated to TBC, is an expression used to signify a lack of definitive information for a release or event To be confirmed, often abbreviated to TBC, is an expression used to signify a lack of definitive information for a release or event Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE DL (born August 3 1938 more commonly known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish Radio and Television Wogan, however, has stated that he would "quite happily do it for nothing" and that he "never asked for a fee". The BBC stated that the fee had "never been negotiated". While Wogan's fee has been paid from BBC resources and not from the Children in Need charity fund,^[5] there is no record of Wogan ever having repaid any of these fees. Two days prior to the 2007 event it was disclosed that Wogan would now be waiving his fee. ^[6]

See also

• ITV Telethon
• Comic Relief
• Sport Relief
• Pudsey (Town in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom from which Pudsey Bear got his name. The ITV Telethons were three charity Telethons organised and televised in the UK by the ITV network Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character or scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work often to relieve tension Sport Relief is a biennial charity event from Comic Relief, in association with BBC Sport, which brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money Pudsey is a Market town and Suburb of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England, between Bradford and Leeds )

References

External links

• Children in Need at bbc.co.uk
• Children in Need at the Internet Movie Database
• BBC's site for Any Dream Will Do! contest
• Lee Mead LiveJournal Community
• Making Music History carries on raising money for Children In Need through to Summer 2008