FUNDRAISERS across the county donned their finest fancy dress costumes to help raise a record-breaking total for BBC’s Children in Need.

The annual star-studded extravaganza raised more than £32.62 million for over 2,600 nationwide projects for children and young people.

And across Oxfordshire, fundraisers of all ages threw on their Pudsey ears and got behind the appeal.

Students at Abingdon &Witney College’s Abingdon campus, in Wootton Road, put their creative skills to the test during their Friday morning antics.

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The Level 3 beauty students put their morning lessons aside and raised £131.56 by treating visitors to relaxing Indian head massages, face paint and nail art.

Students, who had organised the fundraiser themselves, also spent the morning selling specially decorated homemade cupcakes. Bonnie Richie, 17, said: “Staff and students bought loads of cakes and lots had their nails painted.

“We raised loads of money for Children in Need and had a lot of fun doing so.”

Pudsey bears, balloons and bunting covered the college’s on-site shop as beauty students attempted to boost everyone’s spirits.

Tutor Steph Charlton said: “It’s been a fun day, the girls have really enjoyed using the skills they have learned for such a good cause.”

Bicester Advertiser:

 Emily Schult and Adam Brown, of the Banbury branch of Leeds Building Society

In Banbury, staff at Leeds Building Society united to sell sweet treats to customers.

The High Street branch was stocked with handmade cakes while staff encouraged customers to donate to the cause.

Employees also donated to the appeal by wearing their own clothes or daringly sporting fancy dress outfits as part of the building society’s non-uniform day on Friday.

Residents can visit the branch to donate funds to the Children in Need appeal.

Branch manager Claire Hill said: “We’d like to raise as much as possible, so please do dig deep if you can.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to know we’re helping ensure the safe and happy upbringing of children in Banbury and across the UK.”

Fundraisers at Crowell Road’s Ark-T Centre enjoyed eggy bread, a fire pit and a dazzling disco on Friday afternoon.

More than 60 children and adults gathered at the Cowley centre for a host of fun-filled activities which helped to raise more than £100.

The centre previously received funding from the BBC appeal for its multi-sensory play space project.

Ark T development officer Henrietta Gill said: “We had such a good time. It was good fun. The project we get funded for by Children in Need is about playing and creativity. This was about putting fun at the centre.”

‘Hilarious, disgusting’ dunk for teachers

TEACHERS put on brave faces as they were gunged by John Mason School students on Friday. 

Staff from the foreign languages department including Emma Mannion, Richard Marshall and Lewis Hamilton, along with associate headteacher Emma Leigh-Bennett, were drenched in the colourful liquid. 

Bicester Advertiser:

Emma Mannion, Richard Marshall and Lewis Hamilton of John Mason School got gunged for Children In Need

Mrs Mannion, 39, said: “It was hilarious. It was disgusting. It took a long time to get it out of my hair.

“It was totally driven by the sixth form. They got really excited about it so we just wanted to support them.”

Bicester Advertiser:

 Willow Gathergood-Dains, seven, as Batgirl, is backed up by super friends and teachers 

The school’s senior student team organised two days of fundraising activities in aid of the Children in Need appeal, raising more than £1,000. 

Staff and students also enjoyed a cake sale, as well as superhero-themed non-uniform day on Thursday.


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