Children in Need

BBC Children in Need is the BBC's UK charity. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million to change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. One of the highlights is an annual telethon, held in November and televised on BBC One and BBC One HD from 7pm until 2am. "Pudsey Bear" is BBC Children in Need's mascot, whilst Terry Wogan is a long standing host. BBC Children in Need is one of three high-profile British telethons, although the only charity belonging to the BBC, the other telethons being Red Nose Day and Sport Relief, both supporting the Comic Relief... charity. The BBC's first broadcast charity appeal took place in 1927, in the form of a five-minute radio broadcast on Christmas Day. It raised about £1,143, which equates to about £27,150 by today's standards, and was donated to four children's charities. The first televised appeal took place in 1955 and was called the Children's Hour Christmas Appeal, with the yellow glove puppet Sooty Bear and Harry Corbett fronting it. The Christmas Day Appeals continued on TV and radio until 1979. During that time a total of £625,836 was raised.
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