CHILDREN I N NEED THE BEAR NECESSITIES

What is Children in Need for?

The charity seeks to change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. Its vision is to ensure “that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential”.

When was it first broadcast?

The BBC launched an appeal for children as a five-minute radio message on Christmas Day in 1927, which raised £1,143. The first televised appeal was the 1955

Children’s Hour Christmas appeal, presented by Sooty and Harry Corbett. The Christmas Day appeals continued on TV and radio until 1979, raising a total of £625,836. In 1980, BBC One’s evening schedule was cleared for a telethon hosted by Terry Wogan, Sue Cook and Esther Rantzen. The event raised more than £1 million.

When did Pudsey Bear first appear?

The brown teddy made his TV debut in 1985. He was designed by Joanna Ball, a BBC graphics designer, who named him after the West Yorkshire town where she was born. It became the official logo the next year, with his design amended to yellow, with a red spotted bandage.

How much money has it raised?

To date, Children in Need claims to have raised £790 million, thanks to donations from the public during its annual appeals.

Does it send aid overseas?

No. The BBC Governors designed BBC Children in Need as a charity to support and help disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

It’s already possible to donate by text message. Donors can text “PADDLE” to 70701 to give £1; “DONATE” to 70705 to give £5; or “DONATE” to 70710 to give £10. Text messages cost £1, plus the standard network message rate. Lines remain open until January 31, so there will be plenty of time to donate after the show.

Children in Need is on BBC One tonight at 7.30pm