Children in Need has become a national institution, and the charity raises millions of pounds for children’s charities every year. The main part of the fundraising drive is through an evening long BBC television broadcast one night a year.

The history of Children in Need goes back to 1980, although there had been charity broadcasts of one sort or another prior to this on both BBC radio and television. The first Children in Need broadcast was presented by Terry Wogan, Sue Lawley and Esther Rantzen. Terry Wogan still presents part of the annual television broadcast to this day. In its first year, £1 million was raised.

Although Children in Need was originally established to raise money for children’s charities, it is now a charity in its own right. It has been a registered charity in England and Wales since 1988 and more recently in Scotland.

The television show typically consists of a variety of entertainment pieces and documentary footage. The entertainment slots include things such as live musical performances, comedy, and specials from other television shows. Sometimes this includes two shows being married together, for example Top Gear meets Ashes to Ashes in 2010. The last few years have featured news readers performing something on stage. The documentaries throughout the evening inform viewers of some of the causes the charity helps as well as showing why this assistance is needed.

Since raising £1 million in its first year, the amount raised has increased massively. The charity has expanded and become better known and now has a real place in the nation’s hearts. The amount raised has risen almost continuously, and in 2010 was a record breaking £40 million.

The balk of the money raised over the years has come through public donations, with much of this coming during the television broadcast. These days, though, there are many other fundraising events throughout the country that also make money on behalf of the charity. Some of these are directly through the BBC, including Children in Need specials of other BBC programmes, while others are set up by other organisations and individuals wishing to do their bit.

The official mascot of Children in Need is Pudsey Bear. He is named after the town of Pudsey, where his creator, Joanna Ball, is from. Created in 1983, he first appeared on the television broadcast in 1985. Back then he was a brown bear, but was changed to the famous yellow with a bandage over his right eye for the 1986 fundraiser.

Pudsey wasn’t the only trend to begin in 1985; the other was an official song, with all proceeds from its sales going to the charity. The first song was by Clanned, followed by Suzi Quatro with Bronski Brown and other artists in 1986, and then Paul McCartney another two years later. Others to have performed the official song have included S Club 7, Will Young, Girls Aloud and the Spice Girls.

Children in Need has become a real part of British culture over the years. The show attracts millions of viewers every year and people throughout the country take part in fundraising events and donate to the charity.

Andrew Marshall ©