Children in Need total passes £20m
Children in Need fundraising total passes £20m
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Saturday, 21, Nov 2009 08:58
By Lewis Bazley.
Charity donations for the BBC's Children in Need charity appeal have reached £20.3 million despite British pockets being hit by the recession.
While the total fell short of the amount raised at the same point last year, host Sir Terry Wogan said he was confident the event would go on to match the £38 million fundraising total in 2008.
"Another fantastic fundraising effort - we didn't get quite to £21m but we got pretty close," the veteran broadcaster said.
"By the time we give you the full total in a couple of months' time, I bet it's got to be pretty close to what we made last year."
Friday night's show saw comedian Peter Kay launch the official Children in Need single, with an animated video featuring numerous children's TV stars, while Alesha Dixon and JLS performed.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Dixon was joined by the professional dancers from the BBBC1 entertainment show while BBC newsreaders Fiona Bruce, Susanna Reid, Sophie Raworth and Kate Silverton strayed out of their "comfort zone" for a dance number soundtracked by Beyonce's Crazy in Love and Single Ladies.
The Children in Need appeal has raised more than £525 million for disadvantaged children and young people since its 1980 inception.