Facts about Children in Need
Since the 91Èȱ¬ Children in Need Appeal started in 1980, £480million has been raised towards helping positively change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. This year, with the help and support of public fundraisers, it is hoped to break the half-billion mark!
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The 91Èȱ¬ has been running a Christmas children's charity campaign since 1927. The 91Èȱ¬ Children in Need television appeal was first broadcast as an evening's entertainment and fund-raising in 1980. Terry Wogan presented it – with help from Sue Lawley and Esther Rantzen – and Sir Terry will return for the 29th 91Èȱ¬ Children in Need television show on Friday 14 November 2008.
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Last year's 91Èȱ¬ Children in Need Appeal raised a record breaking £37million with a staggering £19,089,771 raised on the night, through the generosity and support of the British public.
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The appeal show has always been a favourite among TV viewers. Last year the audience peaked at 11.5 million – which meant it was the 10th most watched programme on the 91Èȱ¬. Performers included Lee Mead, who opened the show with Any Dream Will Do, and he was followed by a stellar line-up including Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, Westlife and the 91Èȱ¬ Newsreaders performing All That Jazz from Chicago. The appeal's official single was performed by The Spice Girls.
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Fifty-five call centres will be set up around the UK on 14ÌýNovember, with nearly 3,000 live phone lines ready to take donations on 0345 733 2233. During last year's TV show, 216,000 telephone calls were received while 36,000 people donated online at bbc.co.uk/pudsey.
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For every penny donated to 91Èȱ¬ 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 to cover all operational costs raised.
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This year, 91Èȱ¬ Children in Need distributed grants to 1,343 different organisations in the UK, all of which work towards positively changing the lives of disadvantaged children and young people here in the UK. The average grant was £27,579, with the amounts ranging from £300 to £345,980.
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