Children in Need appeal underway in Newbury and beyond

Fundraisers in full swing across the local area

CHILDREN in Need fundraisers are in full swing across Newbury and beyond today (Friday) - the charity's big day.

Members of Newbury Round Table are fundraising in Northbrook Street (pictured), braving today's sudden heavy downpours, then drying off their furry costumes - including the charity's Pudsey Bear mascot - when the sun comes out, while bringing a smile to the faces of shoppers and delighting children.

Elsewhere in Newbury, former BBC Radio One DJ Bruno Brookes, chief executive of the Immedia Group Plc, based in Newbury Broadway, has set aside a studio for the day to raise funds for the charity.

The venue will see the creation of a pop-up radio station, to be streamed live between 8am and 8pm, to laptops, computers or mobile telephones and Immedia clients, including 900 HSBC banks, Topshop and Ikea.

Other local businesses raising funds include Reed, the global recruitment specialist based in Northbrook Street, which offered Newbury businesses the opportunity to ‘borrow’ a staff member for an hour, in return for a donation.

The offer has already been snapped up by Compleat Food Ingredients, of London Road, for a donation of £92, in return for tasty bacon sandwiches cooked for staff and steaming mugs of tea and coffees brewed.

Elsewhere, schools involved with CIN fundraisers today include the Clere School, Burghclere, whose pupils have become fundraising entrepreneurs for the day, with a bake-in and non-school uniform day also planned.

At Kingsclere Primary School, a hilarious heroic heads day was scheduled, giving pupils chance to decorate their own heads with a design of their choice, including Pudsey ears.

For full coverage - including photographs - of all the above events, and more, pick up a copy of the Newbury Weekly News next Thursday.

Email photographs/details of Children in Need events in Newbury/the surrounding area to jane.meredith@newburynews.co.uk.