Week 23 - Children In Need

Now this is where things feel a bit weird.  I usually give £20 to Children In Need but the idea of this project was to spread my donations across lots of charities rather than occasionally (and rather guiltily) giving a larger amount to just a few.  So I've stuck with it and just given a fiver.

Not that the appeal suffered.  This year saw them raise a record breaking £37 million on the night with more donations to come over the coming weeks.  The BBC has a long history of charity appeals.  The first was a five minute radio appeal on Christmas Day in 1927 which raised £1,143 18s 3d, money which went to four children's charities.  The first television appeal was in 1955 presented by Harry Corbett and Sooty.  These Christmas Day appeals continued until 1979 and raised a total of £625,836.

The first TV telethon event was in 1980, hosted by the appeals mainstay Terry Wogan with Sue Lawley and Esther Rantzen.  Over the last 25 years they have raised over £740 million.  Every penny is spent on projects to help disadvantaged children and young people around the UK with grants provided to both small and large projects.  Their vision is that every child in the UK should live a childhood which is safe, happy and secure and which allows them to fulfil their potential.

Links

Children In Need - Donations

Children In Need - Home