Thousands across Midlands join huge Children In Need fundraiser
Nov 21 2009 by Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail
THOUSANDS of caring folk from across the Midlands shook off the gloom of the recession to help raise millions of pounds for this year’s Children In Need appeal.
A seemingly limitless number of fancy dress outfits were on view across the region as fundraisers of all ages did their bit for the annual BBC charity night.
Their efforts helped swell the national total, which had already smashed through the £9 million barrier with three hours of the televised extravaganza still to run.
Among those chipping in were staff at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre in Solihull, who staged their version of swimming the English Channel.
About 30 members of staff, led by centre manager Simon James, took to the centre’s swimming pool to complete a total of 1,380 lengths – the equivalent of the 20.5 miles between the coasts of England and France.
To make the challenge even more daunting, several employees completed the challenge in fancy dress, ranging from Superman to a frog.
Simon said: “We started shortly before 6am and took more than 12 hours to finish the task, but it was well worth it.”
Elsewhere, the world came to Birmingham as the 373 pupils of Hollywood Primary School, Hollywood, dressed in colourful costumes representing every corner of the globe, joined staff in a massive fancy dress parade.
Year Three teacher Caroline Powell said: “Every family paid £1 for the day to help raise money for Children In Need, but as it was also World Children’s Day, we wanted to do something a little bit different.”
Meanwhile, early years staff and students at Solihull College raised more than £1,200 by donning their finest pyjamas for the day.
They also took part in traditional fairground games, including Hook-a-Duck and Hoopla.
Student Megan Moore said: “It was really fun to organise but hard work too.”
Sunny Corner Nursery in Kings Heath, raised more than £250 for Children in Need with fancy-dress parties and a balloon release day.
