Pupils across Swindon ditched their uniforms and donned an array of colourful outfits to raise money for Children in Need.

Students from Greenmeadow Primary School in north Swindon dressed in something spotty or related to Pudsey Bear for a suggested donation of £1.

Year six pupil Libby, said: “We got to dress up because it’s Children in Need day. Our £1 helps charities working with children.”

“I really like that we are helping charities,” said fellow year six pupil James. “On Children in Need day, the charities can help children with life changing illnesses."

Youngsters at the Learning Tree Pre School in Pinehurst turned up in their pyjamas and brought their teddies for a teddy bears’ picnic.

Gemma Gill, one of the nursery staff, said: “We hid spots around the room for the children to find, and discussed Children in Need in general and what Pudsey does. The children all had great fun.”

Elsewhere Pudsey and Blush visited pupils at Chiseldon Primary School last week, when they welcomed pupils to school with high fives.
They were told all about the fundraising the pupils were doing, including a bake sale and a mufti day to support the cause.

Former Chiseldon pupil Tom Stamp, 17, who has cerebral palsy is one of the riders on the Children in Need Rickshaw challenge and completed the final leg of the 400-mile ride yesterday.

Swindon’s DFS store also celebrated raising £12,000 for the charity, helping the company hit the target of £750,000 between 2018-2019.

Tim Stacey, chief executive officer of the firm said: “Thank you to all of our customers in Swindon who have supported our fundraising efforts.”

The Children in Need appeal raises money throughout the year to help disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.