Lowest first night total in nine years

One of the UK’s biggest and most popular fundraisers has seen its income topple.

BBC’s Children in Need recorded its lowest on-the-night total since 2014, raising £33.5m -more than £17m down on the amount raised at the same point in 2018.

The highest on-the-night total was £50.6m in 2018.

This year for the first time, every pound donated or raised in support of Challenge Yourself and the Challenge Squad was matched pound for pound (up to a value of £1.5m) by Postcode Education Trust, supported through People’s Postcode Lottery.

It was announced live on the show that the Squad have so far raised £2,844,182.

And TikTok partnered with BBC Children in Need this year, for its ‘biggest LIVE campaign yet’. This included the launch of limited edition Pudsey Gifts – for each one sent, TikTok pledged to make a donation.

This resulted in the TikTok LIVE community raising £513,000 through 20.9 million Pudsey gifts sent over the past few months.

This year’s Sir Terry Wogan Young Fundraiser of the Year was 12 year old Joel, who cycled 600km (373 miles) from England to the Netherlands.

Commenting on the evening, Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive at BBC Children in Need, said: “The overwhelming kindness and generosity shown this evening – especially when things are incredibly hard for so many – is remarkable.

"I want to thank the UK for once again showing children and young people that we are here for them. To each and every person that gave so generously this evening, thank you.”