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The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have been running a children's charity campaign since its inception in 1927 when there was an inaugural Appeal on Christmas Day.

Last year's ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need Appeal raised a record breaking £40 million with a staggering £20.3 million raised on the night, through the generosity and support of the British Public.

For every penny donated to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need, a penny will go towards projects supporting disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. We are able to make this promise because the charity uses its investment income and gift aid to cover all operational costs raised.

Pudsey made his television debut in 1985 when Terry introduced the new, brown cuddly mascot to the audience. He was designed by Joanna Ball, a ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ graphics designer, who named him after the West Yorkshire town where she was born. He proved very popular and returned as ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need's official logo the following year with his design amended to that of a yellow bear with a red spotted bandage. Pudsey had a makeover in 2007 to become today’s bear which we all know and love.

We provide support in the form of grants to organisations working with children who have mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioural or psychological disorders; are living in poverty or situations of deprivation; or suffering through distress, abuse or neglect.

The size and scale of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need Appeal means that we're able to fund a huge range of projects, from small organisations which don't have the resources to fundraise for themselves, to large national charities. We also award some development grants to organisations that require extra support reaching the stage where they can deliver a successful project.

Voluntary committee members, based in each region, draw on their expertise and local knowledge to advise our board of Trustees which projects should receive grants, and funds are allocated geographically to ensure that all corners of the UK get a share of the money raised.