BBC Children in Need Feed

HMRC fundraising hero visits ChildLine

2013-11-25T15:09:46+00:00

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff are big supporters of BBC Children in Need. Last year people across the department dug deep into their pockets and organised dozens of fundraising events in their own time, raising more than £100,000 from offices across the country.

As well as staff fundraising, the department also contributes to the grand total by opening some of its call centres and providing volunteers to take donations, in their own time, on BBC Children in Need Appeal Night.

BBC Children in Need supporters from HMRC, were keen to find out where the money they raise goes and were pleased when BBC Children in Need offered one fundraiser the chance to visit the ChildLine office in London.

ChildLine provides free and confidential advice to children and young people up to the age of 19 on a range of issues. This year, ChildLine was awarded a three-year grant of £500,000 from BBC Children in Need.

HMRC fundraiser, Jo Sculley visited the ChildLine offices in London

To show how important this funding is ChildLine opened its doors to HMRC fundraiser Jo Sculley for the day. Here Jo tells us more.

“As a keen fundraiser for BBC Children in Need I jumped at the chance to find out where some of the money we raise goes. I spoke to staff about their work and the service, and found out that these days it’s more than just a phone line. Children can call or join conversations on an internet chat room to ask for help, or use social media such as Facebook for information. The calls and online contacts are answered by teams at one of ChildLine’s ten regional centres. Staff and counsellors talked about the real problems young people are facing; they deal with everything from online bullying to low self-esteem and difficult family relationships.

Most of the contacts are handled by volunteer counsellors who have six months of training before answering any queries. Volunteers say it’s important to give affected children and young adults ‘free space’ to be able to talk about their problems to someone who will listen. This hopefully gives them the confidence to take the next steps.

The grant from BBC Children in Need will help to make sure that the phones are answered and online services are managed during peak times - such as late evenings and towards the end of the week - providing a service when users need it most.

This lovely picture hangs in the ChildLine office

For me, it’s great to know that the money HMRC staff raise for BBC Children in Need is helping to make a real difference to the lives of thousands of children and young people through services like ChildLine.”

#BeAHero for BBC Children in Need!

2013-10-10T15:29:45+00:00

They may not have superpowers, they might not wear spandex (well, not that we’ve seen), and they may not be saving the earth from any sort of impending alien invasion, but our fundraising heroes are just as heroic as any you’ll see on the big screen this year. They’re changing real lives for the better all over the UK, and most importantly, right where you are.

Fundraisers rarely come more charming than Mateo Sanderson, a bona-fide, solid gold hero from Morecambe. Sixteen-year-old Mateo, who has cerebral palsy, is a seasoned pro when it comes to fundraising – he’s been raising money for BBC Children in Need for the last seven years now. His experience was evident this year as he took on the challenge to #BeAHero, and he certainly succeeded.

Courtesy of Bay Lancashire TV

With a little help from family and friends, Mateo organised a Fun Walk along Morecambe Promenade which took place on Sunday 29 September. Participants were treated to a scenic morning walk along the seaside, and as Mateo himself was also taking part, they were in great company. Those who completed the race were awarded a medal by Mateo himself, and there were even a few famous faces in the crowd – players from Mateo’s beloved Morecambe FC, as well as the local MP, were part of the crowd lending cheer to the event.

With a little help from the local press, Mateo was able to get the word out before the event, and on the day itself over 300 people took part! Mateo got in touch with us shortly after the walk to tell us that he had a great time and was very pleased that the walk raised over £2,500! Half of the proceeds will go to BBC Children in Need, and half will go to Alexandra House in Lancashire. Good work Mateo – we can’t wait to see all the fundraising you’re going to get up to in the years ahead!

Next up, we have a daring international fundraising mission – the Teddy Tour Challenge. Presented by the Hywel Girls' Choir & Hywel Boy Singers, The Teddy Tour Challenge had some seriously big aims: to deliver by car 25 teddy bears to 25 orphanages across 27 countries spanning 7,000 miles in less than 350 hours. Nothing like a bit of healthy ambition for fundraising success! Head over to the Teddy Tour Challenge’s Twitter page to see some great pictures of the Pudsey and the team on their travels.

Pudsey got to improve his knowledge of Europe this August!

The Teddy Tour Challenge took place in August, and we’re luckily both Helen and Jeremy, the husband and wife team behind the event, made it back safely! We’re also very pleased to say that over £6,700 has been raised for BBC Children in Need so far – an amazing amount!

Our final Hero this week is Dawn Craven from Moreton, who has courageously chosen to go Bear-headed for BBC Children in Need this year. Dawn is an employee of one of our awesome fundraising partner’s, Burton’s Biscuits, who have really pulled out all their stops with their fundraising this year, and Dawn is one of their standout fundraising heroes! Check out the picture below – even Pudsey stepped in to wish Dawn good luck on her big day. Dawn’s haircut has raised an amazing £3239.96, every penny of which will go towards changing the lives of children and young people right here in the UK. Thank you Dawn!

Burtons Biscuits head shave

Have you got what it takes to #BeAHero for BBC Children in Need this year? We think you do! For lots of great fundraising inspiration check out our ideas page and download one of our free 2013 fundraising packs – it’s full of great ideas that’ll have you up and about in a fundraising frenzy in no time at all!

If you’ve already chosen to be a fundraising hero this year, we think you deserve some recognition. Help us to celebrate you and your great work by getting in touch and telling us about all the brave fundraising adventures you've been embarking on in the name of BBC Children in Need.

Simply email your local address here, and tag us @BBCCiN on Twitter and Instagram or @Pudsey Bear on Facebook. Don't forget to use our official hashtags to help us spread the excitement - #bakeit, #pyjamas, #songanddance and our main hashtag for 2013 - #BeAHero!