BBC Children in Need Feed

Who You Help: International Children's Book Day

2013-04-02T10:31:38+00:00

Door Step Library in London brings the joy of books and reading to local children.

On this day each year, that great storyteller Hans Christian Anderson's birthday is celebrated with an International Children's Book Day. To mark the occasion, we wanted to tell you about just one of the BBC Children in Need grants that has children's books and reading at the centre of it.

This is a guest post written by mum Angela Campana.

“Every Tuesday afternoon at about five o'clock the doorbell rings and my children rush outside to greet the friendly ladies full of stories. Each has a big rucksack filled with as many books as they can carry and a couple of stools for the children to sit on.

It all started for us one day when a lady knocked on my door and explained that she was from an organisation that read books to children in the neighbourhood. I was pleasantly surprised as I had never heard of a mobile library. Since then my children always welcome them with smiles on their faces as each week they can't wait to swap their books for new ones. She explained that she wanted to reach as many children as possible and that she wanted them to have easy access to a variety of books. That was the beginning of something wonderful for us.

I have three boys; Ethan, seven, Rafael who’s five and Alejandro, two. We are originally from Colombia and Ecuador and we try to speak Spanish to our children at home so they grow up bilingual. Having the volunteers reading to my children in English has really helped them to improve their reading and communication skills at school. Especially Rafael because thanks to the volunteers' support and attention, his speech has improved significantly.

The stories and picture books have encouraged my children's imagination immensely. This is particularly true for Ethan who has produced some amazing art work since he was three and gets inspired by every book he reads.

Ethan's picture of Pudsey Bear

Books open the door to new worlds which children can only reach by reading and this project makes all this possible.

The volunteers give their time and effort, come rain or shine, even in freezing weather conditions. The work that they do is just amazing. I am so grateful for their enthusiasm, their encouragement, their support and especially for their time. I really admire what they do. The Door Step Library has had a very positive impact on my family.

It is truly a remarkable project that could potentially change children's lives and help them achieve a better, brighter future.”

How does BBC Children in Need help?

BBC Children in Need’s grant of £44,400 helped set up the Doorstep Library Network in Fulham in 2011 and contributes towards the salary of Project Manager Katie Bareham until 2014. There are now four networks operating in Hammersmith and Fulham with each volunteer working one afternoon a week after school, usually in pairs. You can find out more information about volunteering at the project here.

International Women's Day 2013

2013-03-06T13:10:26+00:00

Friday 8 March 2013 is International Women’s Day; a day of global celebration marking the achievements of women past, present and future. Thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world, ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatrical performances, fashion parades and more.

For one BBC Children in Need funded project, it’s also an opportunity to show support for women and girls who face really difficult daily challenges like poverty, violence and exploitation.

The Empower Logo

Read our Who You Help Case Study about the Safer London Foundation's programme "EMPOWER", which is a support scheme for young women in the capital who are at risk of sexual violence and exploitation.

Safer London Foundation has come up with a way to show your support for the great work they're doing, by wearing the universal symbol for ‘woman’ - in the form of their EMPOWER nail wrap.

To get your Nail Wraps, email: info@saferlondonfoundation.org , then tweet a photo of you wearing them on the 8th March with the hash tags #IWD and #EmpowerAlways.

EMPOWER's Nail Wraps for International Women's Day 2013

And this is the overall aim of EMPOWER: to remind vulnerable girls that they have an army of women behind them, supporting them every day. By getting people talking about the issue of sexual violence, we are another step closer to ‘nailing’ the problem.

A Big Deal for Teenagers

2013-02-01T16:46:11+00:00

The first Friday of each month is ‘Freestyle Friday’ at Studio 3 Arts dance studios in Barking, Essex. That’s when street dancers from the area battle it out with each other in a friendly frenzy of carefully coordinated choreography!

They’ve developed their skills – and other young people will be able to develop theirs - thanks to a new three-year grant of £108,360 that pays for the expertise of two freelance choreographers as well as some of the other costs involved.

Jade Hackett, of Unity UK, is one of those dance experts and she leads the dance company Big Deal. You can see some of them – Rochelle, Jennifer, Zoe, Rhianna and Oleata - in this picture during a rehearsal.

Studio 3 Arts is supported by a grant from BBC Children in Need.

Big Deal have formed a tight-knit bond after last year winning the Borough and England Hip-Hop Championships and then travelling to Germany to compete in the World Championships, where they finished seventh. Each dance member reels off anecdotes about the highs and the lows of what that entailed, from getting their costumes sorted to crying with frustration when a routine didn’t go well.

Jade says: “I drove them really hard and will settle for nothing less than a top three place next time! I have very high standards because they have the talent and just need to be pushed. I’m equally adamant that they do their school work and learn about the history of hip hop, absorbing information about human rights issues along the way because that’s important. They’re great girls.”

The success of Big Deal is also down to Artistic Director Liza Vallance’s ethos. She commands great respect in running the art, music and acting taster sessions at the studios each summer, as well as the dance sessions.

Liza establishes where each teenager’s particular interest or skill lies before encouraging them to explore that skill further. Those teenagers may come from low income families, have experienced gang culture or been involved in anti-social behaviour or they may be at risk of school exclusion. But any attitude or self-esteem issues are soon reshaped by both Liza and those who have already benefitted from the project.

Rochelle says: “Some of the kids are really rude when they first arrive and have tons of attitude but they soon learn from the rest of us how they are expected to behave and the other kids really stick up for and protect Liza.”

But it wasn’t long ago that Liza was working for free and this project’s existence was under threat because of a lack of funds. So thank you for donating to BBC Children in Need and enabling girls like Rochelle, Jennifer, Zoe, Rhianna and Oleata to reach their full potential.

Live BBC Outside Broadcasts for Children in Need appeal night

2012-11-14T14:26:20+00:00

As I'm sure you all know by now, this year's BBC Children in Need appeal night takes place this Friday, with a whole host of entertainment coming to you direct from BBC TV Centre in London.

However, there are lots of other BBC Children in Need outside broadcasts being staged right around the UK. Have a look at our list below to see where your nearest one is. Why not pop along and enjoy a Pudsey-tastic night with your local BBC TV teams?

We advise checking with the venue before travelling to confirm ticketing arrangements and event timings. We cannot be held responsible for any late changes to broadcasts or events.

ABERDEEN

6pm - 10pm, Beach Ballroom, Beach Promenade, Aberdeen

This year BBC Scotland are bringing Children in Need to The Beach Ballroom. Presented by Jackie Bird who will be in amongst the audience finding out what they have done to raise money for Children in Need. There will also be two very special performances from the BBC Scotland Children in Need Choir.

Jackie Bird dances with Pudsey Bear

BIRMINGHAM

6pm - 10pm, BBC Mailbox, Birmingham

Entertainment will include music and dance in the BBC Public Space, and an entertainer and brass band outside.

CAMBRIDGE

6.30pm onwards, West Road Concert Hall (Cambridge University Concert Hall), 11 West Road, Cambridge

Choir concert at Cambridge University Concert Hall. Tickets: http://www.westroad.org/event-info/bbc-east-children-in-need/

EXETER

6pm - 10pm, The University Forum, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter

Lots of Pudsey fun on the night with stilt walkers, circus acts, live music, mountain bike stunt displays, interactive fun science activities and lots more. Come along in fundraising costumes, fancy dress or wearing bright spots. Will be broadcasting live from the University into the Spotlight programme at 1830, in the run up to the big event where the scene will be set for the Children in Need television broadcasts throughout the evening to 10pm. Tickets: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/eventexeter/news/archive/title_234297_en.html

LEICESTERSHIRE

6.30pm - 9pm, Conkers Discovery Centre in the National Forest, Rawdon Road (B586), Moira, Nr Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Derbyshire

Activities include face-painting, crafts and music and children can explore the Conkers Enchanted Forest adventure play area. The Olive Tree restaurant will be also be open. BBC East Midlands Today presenter Anne Davies will be hosting the event and broadcasting live from Conkers throughout the evening from 6.30pm

LEWES, EAST SUSSEX

6.20pm - 10pm, Glyndebourne, New Road, Ringmer, Lewes, East Sussex

The BBC and Glyndebourne will host a special evening of fun and music at the world famous opera house. A choir of over two hundred children from across the South East will come together for the first time to perform. The event will be hosted by Danny Pike from BBC Sussex and broadcast live from 6.30pm on BBC One in the South East, presented by Julia George. There is no dress code for the event but please wrap up warm. Tickets: http://glyndebourne.com/production/bbc-children-need-2012

LONDON

6pm - 10pm, The Tower of London ice rink

Ice-skating outside the Tower of London, 1 hour session (from 6-7pm). Need to arrive 45minutes before ice skating session. BBC London will be broadcasting live from the side of the ice-rink where they’ll be meeting and saying thank you to London fundraisers. Tickets: http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/shows/bbc_london_cin_16nov12

NORTHUMBERLAND

6.30pm - 10pm, Alnwick Gardens (at Alnwick Castle), Denwick Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1YU

A spectacular After-Dark Party with entertainment such as a Zip Wire, balloon artists, Punch and Judy shows, circus workshops, a magician, face painters, stilt walkers and musical accompaniment. Tickets: http://www.alnwickgarden.com/events/107/bbc-children-in-need-after-dark-garden-party

PRESTON

6pm - 10pm, Museum of Lancashire, Stanley Street, Preston PR1 4YP (01772 534075)

The North West OB will have Hacker the dog playing judge to all the fundraisers. Fundraising heroes will speak about their achievements as young people getting involved. Entertainment also include a Bluegrass Band bringing banjos, a bath of slime, face painters. Please contact the Museum to check if tickets are required.

ROTHERHAM

6pm - 9.30pm, Magna Science Adventure Centre, Sheffield Road, Rotherham, S60 1DX

The attractions at the Magna Science Adventure Centre will be open for people to look around. There will also be a choir and live TV broadcasts.

SCUNTHORPE

7pm, Baths Hall, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, South Humberside DN15 7RG

Concert hosted by Peter Levy and Paul Hudson and parts of it will be broadcast live on Look North. Choirs taking part include; Hot Gospel, Voice Call, Shower Singers, Harmony Lincs, Ling Moor Primary School Choir, St Mary's College Hull and the Scunthorpe Co-operative Junior Choir. Tickets cost £10 - http://www.scunthorpetheatres.co.uk/performance/21088.aspx

SWINDON

6pm - 10pm, STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon SN2 2EH

BBC Wiltshire’s Lee Stone will broadcast his drivetime programme live from the STEAM museum. BBC Wiltshire’s Ben Prater will be joined by Mark Millar from BBC One’s DIY SOS to host an area of entertainment within the museum. Come along in fancy dress! Tickets: http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/shows/west_cin_2012

WINCHESTER

6.30pm - 9.30pm, InTech Hands-On Science Centre, Telegraph Way, Morn Hill, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HZ

Broadcasting live during the 6.30pm evening news, choir and other exhibits and activities. Refreshments available to purchase.

How the Post Office is supporting BearFaced

2012-11-06T15:07:37+00:00

I’m Dipti and I work as a customer service advisor at Walthamstow Post Office branch in London.

I love getting involved with BBC Children Need. It means a lot to me personally and I really enjoy getting everyone in my branch involved and raising money too. Last year was great fun, we raised a grand total of £1066 and we want to do even better this year!

There’s such buzz going around the branch now it’s appeal time of year. We’re raising money with a smile.. as well as doing our day jobs! With our trusty Pudsey buckets in hand, my manager Darren and I raised £230 last Wednesday. So thank you to our customers who are very generous.

This year is even more exciting with the launch of the brand new BearFaced for BBC Children in Need campaign. I’m so proud that Post Office is really getting behind BearFaced and we’ll be the sole retailer of pawprint tattoos. I think it’s a fantastic idea and I’m looking forward to telling our customers all about it and encouraging my colleagues in branch to wear nothing but a pawprint on their cheek on 9 November, or even when they go on sale on 5 November

Model Heidi Klum has gone BearFaced for BBC Children in Need

We’re not just selling pawprint tattoos, we also have BBC Children in Need wristbands and Pudsey ears. They’re so popular with our customers we’ve had to order more.

I really look forward to being involved in BBC Children in Need. It’s such a lot of fun for us in branch and our customers always give generously. I’m really proud to be part of the Post Office effort to support Pudsey!

Dipti Patel

Weekend Wogan tickets on sale

2012-10-01T08:34:53+00:00

Weekend Wogan returns to London's Savoy Theatre on 28 October, as Sir Terry Wogan hosts a live concert for BBC Children in Need.

He'll be joined by special guests including Dionne Warwick, The Overtones, Matt Cardle, James Tormé, and Melanie C and Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls, all performing live on stage.

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra will also feature as the very special house band.

Following the show, BBC Radio 2 presenters and friends will join Sir Terry in hosting a very special celebrity lunch and a unique auction of 'money can’t buy' lots, at the Savoy Hotel, all in aid of Children in Need.

Last year's concert and lunch at the illustrious West End venue contributed to the phenomenal £2,032,642 raised by Radio 2 listeners for BBC Children in Need.

Find out how to get tickets by going to the Radio 2 website or the Savoy box office.