PEOPLE across Gloucestershire dug deep into their pockets and raised an incredible £1,374,202 in the West for BBC Children in Need.

Nationally more than £37 million was collected on the night.

About 200 Gloucestershire primary school children sang The Climb to the nation as part of the Children’s Choir at Gloucester Cathedral on Friday evening.

Money raised from the 2015 Appeal will go on to help make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people right here in the UK, supporting projects like Winston’s Wish and Readathon.

Alex Lovell, BBC Points West presenter said: “The event at Gloucester Cathedral for BBC Children in Need was a great success, which saw so many people come together for such a worthy charity, led by the moving live performance from the Children’s Choir.

“It is really wonderful to hear that fundraisers across the West were so generous, they should be proud of their contribution to such a phenomenal total that will go on to make a real difference to children and young people across the UK.”

Across Gloucestershire, BBC Children in Need currently funds 22 projects to a value of more than £1,000,000.

Winston’s Wish offers direct support to young people before, during and after bereavement to help them begin to deal with their grief and explore difficult feelings.

Readathon takes books and storytellers into hospitals, to give children with serious illnesses who are in hospital an escape through books and stories.

The project helps to reduce anxiety, reassure, comfort and provide a sharing activity for the children as well as cheering them up and encouraging them to read more.

David Ramsden, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need said: “People of the UK should be feeling incredibly proud of what was achieved on Friday evening.

"Their remarkable generosity will go on to help us change a lot of young lives.”

BBC Points West presenter, Alex Lovell, led the TV coverage from Gloucester Cathedral.

She was joined by the Children’s Choir, children from the Milestone School in Gloucester along with the drumming group CCS Taiko and parents and children who have benefitted from BBC Children in Need funded projects across Gloucestershire, The James Hopkins Trust, Winston’s Wish and Readathon.

BBC Wiltshire and BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenters Ben Prater and Mark Cummings also finished their Pudsey Pilgrimage Marathon at the Cathedral after travelling across both counties dressed as Batman and Robin, with their efforts raising £3,810 for the charity.

Friday night’s record breaking appeal total represents an exciting culmination of fundraising activity for BBC Children in Need, but the total will continue to rise as the money pours in from the thousands of events already held, or scheduled to happen all around the UK.

From bake sales, to quizzes and rambles, a huge community of supporters has joined forces to become fundraising heroes for BBC Children in Need.