Despite how rubbish 2020 may have been (and today being Friday the 13th), we still have something positive to look forward to tonight.
Children in Need, the BBC’s annual telethon to raise money for disadvantaged children starts at 7pm on BBC1. As usual, it will feature a huge array of guests, including Kylie Minogue and Shawn Mendes.
Hosted by Mel Giedroyc, this year’s Children in Need appeal show will look to raise as much money (and as many spirits) as possible. The celebrity guests will help showcase some of the amazing charity work the public has been doing over the last few weeks.
Fundraising events big and small have been happening up and down the country. Despite the many struggles this year has brought to us all, people are still donating in their thousands with a DIY SOS special raising over £800,000 last night.
Just this morning the UK’s most popular fitness guru Joe Wicks finished his 24 hour challenge for Children in Need (covered in detail by our very own Adam Woolhead here) raising just over £1,500,000 by running a day long PE session for schools across the country. How did he celebrate? By running a lap of the stage, of course.
As well as this, BBC Radio 2 have assembled a supergroup to cover the Oasis classic ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’. Boasting stars such as Kylie, Cher, Jess Glynne Clean Bandit and Paloma Faith, the song will be released as a single to raise more funds.
When asked about her role in the track, Kylie Minogue said: “It was a privilege to take part in this recording with so many amazing artists. This year it feels even more poignant than ever, and I hope we can all come together to raise as much as possible.”
We are yet to hear if national treasure Marcus Rashford will make an appearance, something many are hoping for after the hugely important work he has done for children in poverty.
If you’re looking for a local fundraiser to donate to, then check out Queen’s Hotel in Cheltenham when out for your daily exercise. They will be joined by Pudsey himself for a lightshow in aid of Children in need. They are taking donations on their website here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MGallery-Hotel-Collection.