UK NEWS

CHILDREN IN NEED MISSES RECORD DONATIONS

Alesha Dixon, Terry Wogan and Tess Daly's efforts still failed to beat Children in Need's record

Sunday November 22,2009

By Natalie Chalk

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EVEN a troupe of “bootylicious” newsreaders and appeals by Sir Terry Wogan couldn’t get the total from this year’s Children In Need telethon to beat last year’s on-the-night record.

At the 2am close yesterday, the pledges taken totalled £20,309,747.

That was £690,253 below last year’s record of £21million.

In the second year running that the charity telethon has run while Britons are in the grip of a recession, the phone lines were still busy.

Hopes are now resting on a special 2009 charity single to boost the coffers past last year’s final £38million total.

Typically, as much is usually donated after the event as during it. Bringing the 30th Children in Need appeal to a close, Sir Terry said: “By the time we give you the full total in a couple of months, I bet it’s got to be pretty close to what we made last year.”

During Friday night’s telethon, featuring the charity’s mascot, Pudsey Bear, a galaxy of showbusiness stars gave it their all. One of the highlights was the annual BBC newsreaders’ stunt.

This year Fiona Bruce, Kate Silverton, Susanna Reid and Sophie Raworth brought the house down with a risque dance routine, performing to bootylicious Beyonce’s hits Crazy In Love and Single Ladies. They also tackled a dance-off against Britain’s Got Talent hip-hop troupe Diversity.

Kate said afterwards: “It was so out of our comfort zone, but it was worth it.”

This year’s Children In Need charity single, fronted by comedian Peter Kay, features The Animated All Star Band. The band features a host of fictional television favourites down the years, including The Woodentops, Bagpuss, Thunderbirds, The Wombles, Postman Pat, Bob The Builder, Bill and Ben, Paddington Bear and the Teletubbies.