BBC Children in Need: when to watch and how to donate

BBC Children in Need returns this Friday, with the annual charity television event looking to raise a record amount for disadvantaged youngsters around the country.

What is Children in Need?

First airing in 1980, Children in Need has become the biggest charity event in the UK, raising a total of £890 million over the past 36 years.

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Yet according to The Sun, its roots go back even further, to 1927 and the BBC’s first charity broadcast, a five-minute radio appeal on Christmas day that raised £1,143 (about £27,150 in today’s money).

According to the Children in Need website, the charity is currently supporting around 2,400 projects that works with children facing a range of disadvantages, “including poverty and deprivation, disabled young people and children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect”.

Last year, a record £60 million was donated during the course of the evening, up from just £1 million in 1980, but organisers are hoping to do even better this year.

When is it on and who is hosting it?

This year’s Children in Need will air on Friday 17 November at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Fronted by the late Sir Terry Wogan for 34 years until 2014, this year’s line-up will be hosted by comedian and presenter Graham Norton. He will be joined by a host of celebrity presenters including Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly and Ade Adepitan. Former Great British Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc will also be involved, along with Rochelle and Marvin Humes.

The Mirror says “There will be a touch of sadness surrounding the show” following Wogan’s death last year “but the stars will hope to raise as much money as possible in his honour”.

The singer Katie Melue will deliver this year’s official Children in Need song, a cover of Sting's “Fields of Gold”, following in the footsteps of Elli Goulding, Craig Davis, McFly and the Spice Girls.

What can we expect on the night?

The BBC has yet to release the full schedule but the stars confirmed for the line-up so far include:

Rita Ora, The Vamps, Beverley Knight, Amber Riley and Cassidy Janson as the Leading Ladies.

Anne Robinson returns with a celebrity version of the Weakest Link while Blue Peter presenters from the past 60 years will compete in a special Pudsey Glitter Ball Strictly special.

Outside of the studio, EastEnders goes WestEnders as the stars sing their way around Albert Square with some classical musical numbers. The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge also returns for another year, with riders travelling 500 miles to raise money. After setting off on 9 November, they will finally reach their destination on Friday during the live appeal show.

Doctor Who fans will get an exclusive look at the upcoming Christmas special, and Peter Capaldi’s final outing as the Time Lord.

How can I donate?

Aside from the appeal telethon which kicks off at 7.30pm, you can donate online, or alternatively download a fundraising kit to raise money yourself.

There is also a range of Children in Need clothing and merchandise in support of the event. The London Evening Standard says for those in search of Children in Need buys, “supermarket chain Asda has an impressive range of Pudsey-themed clothes and accessories that will help you do your bit for the cause” with a minimum of 20% of each product sold donated to the charity.

There is a range of accessories, t-shirts and Pudsey bears to choose from at the Children In Need shop where you can donate money to the 2017 appeal.