Children in need :: Wessex Scene Online

Children in need

6th December 2007
Hannah Slater

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It’s that time of year again where the fundraising for Children in Need takes over the world.

The BBC ran their evening of fundraising with stars from soaps, and entertainment and even serious faced newsreaders stripping down to dance, sing and act foolish for charity. Most importantly the Spice Girls graced our screens again after years out of the spotlight, to mime (as is only fair) their aptly entitled new single "Headlines: Friends Forever!" all the way from the Los Angeles set of Strictly Come Dancing. They even gave us another rendition of ‘Stop’ adorned in air hostess uniforms, just like the good old days. TOG’S leader, Terry Wogan was accompanied by ditzy Fern Cotton throughout the evening that in total raised almost Ł19 million, beating last years record of Ł18 million.

Children in Need’s mission statement is to "positively change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. Our vision is a society where each and every child and young person is supported to realise their potential." The charity operates all year round, not just in the months up to appeal night; last year the total raised across the year was Ł33 million which is expected to be broken this year.

RAG ("Raise and Give") is Southampton University’s fundraising society that raises money in all sorts of ways including slave auctions, beer festivals, club nights and fashion shows. On Red Nose Day, RAG organised a fire walk to raise funds for comic relief. A keen group of volunteers took part and walked across hot coals outside the Union in front of a gobsmacked crowd.

This year RAG continued their hard work and organised a day of fundraising for Children in Need. At 10am, RAG organised a school fete on the concourse with stands including lucky dip, face painting and guess the name of the teddy. Oh the memories!

Kate Jowett (VP for Education) and Will Bowles (RAG President) took part in the traditional RAG fundraiser by sitting in a bath of baked beans on a freezing and wet concourse. What dedication!

The fun and frolics didn’t end there as the evening saw a group of RAG members in yellow t-shirts collecting money at Kinki. Overall, RAG raised Ł658 which will be added to by the SUSU staff who took part in the fundraising by wearing crazy head gear and collecting money at the bar whist dressed up as super heroes.

Children in Need is one of those times of year where you can let all inhibitions go; dress up as superheroes, dance on tables, sit in beans, go back to your childhood or even put yourself through excruciating physical pain whilst walking on coals. Importantly, the money raised from these events goes straight to disadvantaged children across the country. There is no middle man that takes a cut;every penny goes where it should, as it should.