Getting into chaotic spirit of Children in Need fundraising (From Gazette Series)

Getting into chaotic spirit of Children in Need fundraising

BIG-HEARTED charity supporters in Dursley, Cam, Berkeley and Wotton-under-Edge joined in the mayhem for the annual BBC Children In Need extravaganza last Friday.

Many dressed in red and yellow - the charity's trademark colours after mascot Pudsey the bear - to boost Children in Need's 26th annual appeal.

Events organised across the Gazette region saw children in fancy dress, people gathering for coffee mornings and teachers wearing school uniforms.

A number of events held in Berkeley have so far raised more than £1,000. A fundraising breakfast, which was organised for the third year running, raised £424, while a street collection raised £422. Other efforts, including a raffle, have pushed the total to £1,200.

Organiser Jill Tebb said: "We are really pleased. We are going to carry on with some of the fundraising efforts and we hope to raised £1,500."

Students at Rednock School in Dursley also took part in the day's events by holding a cake sale and some students dressed up as Pudsey himself.

Staff at Gloucestershire County Council did their bit for the fundraising event on Thursday by bidding for items including the services of the chief executive for an hour during an intranet auction.

The star lots of the day were the chance to secure the services of Peter Bungard, the chief executive of the county council, Peter Jones, deputy chief executive and Barry King, head of the council's transport services, for one hour. The appeal, which aimed to raise more than £30million, helps disadvantaged youngsters across the UK. Money is still being collected and donated before a final total is revealed.