THOUSANDS across the county got involved in a day of fundraising fun yesterday in aid of BBC Children in Need.
Pudsey Bear paid a visit to schools and leisure centres in Oxfordshire to join in raising cash for a great cause.
People donned their capes for this year’s ‘Superhero’ theme as they took part in various charitable events.
Teacher at John Mason School, Abingdon, Rob Moreton as Bananaman teams up with Super Mario Patrick Evans, 12
Pupils at Didcot Girls School raised just less than £1,000 yesterday by turning up to class in their favourite superhero costume.
The girls paid £1 to Children in Need for a day in fancy dress and the teachers joined in too.
Headteacher Rachael Warwick said: “It was a really enjoyable and positive day.
“There were sponsored silences, cake sales and the sponging of one or two teachers which the girls enjoyed quite a bit.”
Pudsey and his BBC camera crew made it to Ferry Leisure Centre, Summertown, as the iconic one-eyed mascot led a yoga session.
The bear put the class through its paces with the aid of yoga instructor Denise Irwin, who has been teaching at the centre for nine years.
Iron Man Marshall Appleby, eight, and Captain America Tom Richards, six, at Orchard Meadow School, Blackbird Leys
The Wallingford resident, dressed as superhero ‘yoga-woman’, said: “It was really good fun, I’ve always wanted to cuddle Pudsey. I watch and donate every year, it’s all for such a good cause. There was a bucket in the class and everyone donated.”
The staff dressed up as an array of superheroes including Robin, Superman and Catwoman.
Gym instructor and Captain America for the day, Danny Kavanagh, organised the fundraising activities.
The Oxford Mail advertising team dress up for the day
The team led swimming classes and gym sessions in their costumes and provided a bake sale in reception.
The 34-year-old said: “We’ve all dressed up a superheroes for the day and given people the chance to donate, which they have. It’s such a good cause, raising money for children who need it most and it makes you realise how lucky you are and that you should share that with them.”
The busy bear did not stop there though and was back on the road for a trip to St Mary’s Primary School in Chipping Norton.
Pudsey takes part in a yoga class at Ferry Leisure Centre
He surprised children during their lunch break. The children dressed in spots and stripes and held a cake sale to raise money.
Woodstock Primary School also got in on the act as children and teachers held a ‘happy hat day’ to raise funds.
The school was awash with a wonderful and weird array of hats.
A giant paper Pudsey sprawled out on the school hall floor as pupils threw their coin donations at him.
Charity co-ordinator and teacher Angela Prior said: “The whole school got involved, even the little ones. It was fantastic and the kids loved doing it. It was heart-warming to see.”
The ever-popular cake sale, put on by year five and six children, raised even more cash during break.
Pupils from Hendreds Primary School, near Wantage, take part in a cross country run
Staff and pupils at Orchard Meadow School in Blackbird Leys joined in the superhero fun with their own makeshift Pudsey.
Headteacher Donna Roberts donned a Pudsey onesie as staff and pupils gave donations.
She said: “It was lovely. We had a big assembly where they all showed off their costumes. One member of staff’s Banana Man outfit caused hilarity in the hall. It was great to see all the pupils dressing up for such a good cause.”
Sixth form students at John Mason School in Abingdon organised their own Children in Need fundraising day.
Staff at Didcot Girls' School reveal their true identities. From left: Cathy Pearl, Stella Vassiliou, Luis Riolo and Tracey Wells
On Thursday pupils and staff paid £1 to turn up to school in superhero outfits conforming with the national theme.
Yesterday the school charged 50p for pupils to vote to ‘gunge’ their teacher.
The four teachers with the most votes were publicly gunged in front of pupils and staff.
In total the school raised £1,000 over both days.
Pupils from Woodstock Primary School place coins on a giant Pudsey
Associate headteacher Emma Leigh-Bennett said: “The children approached the staff. We were very impressed with them and we are all good sports so joined in. I got gunged unfortunately but it was very well organised and all done in good spirits for a great cause.”
Rob Moreton, director of Maths, dressed up as Bananaman for the cause.
He said: “It was an excellent idea, well organised by our superb 6th form team. Students and staff have all contributed to a great cause and had some fun along the way.”
PALACE WELCOME
The Duke of Marlborough welcomed Children in Need fundraisers on their way to London from Scotland.
Robert Groves, from Birmingham, was paralysed nine years ago and was taking part in a 500-mile hand cycle ride when he popped into the palace to see the new 12th Duke of Marlborough.
Mr Groves’ journey took him through Edinburgh, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Leeds, Manchester, and Birmingham before he reached Oxford on Thursday.
The trip took him six days and he arrived in London last night in time for the live BBC1 broadcast.
His Grace made a donation to Children in Need and also hosted the Woodstock fire brigade in their collections for the charitable cause.
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