Annual fundraiser goes from strength to strength

BBC’s Children in Need topped £50m in donations on the night –setting a new fundraising record for the annual spectacular.

The appeal, which was aired on Friday night, raised £50.2m, compared with £46.6m last year – an increase of 7.7%

Funds will continue to come in with the final total not likely to be known until next summer. Last year around a quarter of all funds were raised after the night.

BBC Children in Need is a registered charity, and one of the UK’s largest grant makers. Last year it awarded £51.4m to 1,342 projects.

The night was presented by Ade Adepitan and Tess Daly, before Mel Giedroyc and Graham Norton took over ahead of Rochelle and Marvin Humes, who were later joined by Matt Edmondson. Programmes were broadcast on BBC 1 and 2, and Radio 1 and 2.

Simon Antrobus, chief executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “People across the UK should feel really proud of what has been achieved this evening.

"The remarkable generosity shown tonight really will go on make a lasting, positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people all across the UK. Thank you.”