"Show Your Spots, Let's Raise Lots!"

It is that time of year again; no I am not talking about Christmas I am in fact talking about BBC Children in Need.  This Friday, the 16th of November 2012, BBC Children In Need will take over the BBC 1 Channel as the charity aims to raise as much money as they can to help make a difference in the lives of children and young people across the UK.  The appeal night this Friday is a fun filled evening of entertainment with one-off specials of favourite programmes and celebrities doing crazy things to help raise money.

BBC Children in Need is a charity that aims to have a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK, helping achieve a positive change.  The charity’s vision is that every child “has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential”.  With the help and support of the public BBC Children in Need makes a difference to lives of children and young children across the UK by supporting projects that works with children facing disadvantages including poverty and deprivation, disability and abuse or neglect.  The money that people raise and donate goes towards helping disadvantaged children and young people across the UK; with every penny you raise and donate going towards the cause, making a real difference.  BBC Children in Need promise that every penny goes towards helping children and young people as they use investment income and Gift Aid to cover all running costs rather than use the money that is directly raised and donated for this charity.

There are many ways that money is raised for BBC Children in Need, one of which is via the sale of official BBC Children in Need merchandise.  You can purchase BBC Children in Need goodies, including gifts, clothes and cuddly Pudsey and Blush toys directly from the BBC Children in Need online shop.

As well as being able to purchase merchandise via the BBC Children in Need website you can also purchase BBC Children in Need treats from a variety of other stockists, including;

Asda.

Proud supporter of BBC Children in Need for the 12^th year running, Asda also have a range of exclusive, limited edition products for BBC Children inNeed that are available to buy online and in-store.  A percentage of every sale of the BBC Children in Need merchandise available from Asda goes straight to the charity.

I love the range of official BBC Children in Need t-shirts for women and I wish I had bought one or both of my favourite ones but they were unfortunately unavailable in my size when I was in my local store which is about 50 miles away.  This year Asda have 3 lovely designs, a bright red t-shirt with a trendy ‘keep calm and carry on slogan’, and my favourites a white t-shirt with a beautiful heart and a black t-shirt with a gold Pudsey silhouette.  The t-shirts cost £6 (£1.50 is donated to BBC Children in Need).

Lee got both of the t-shirts available for men; a white one that has a black and bright green headphone design with the Children in Need slogan “Show Your Spots, Let’s Raise Lots” and a dark grey t-shirt with a rebel design.  I love the rebel t-shirt and how Pudsey is incorporated within the design in between the wings.  The t-shirts cost £6 (£1.50 is donated to BBC Children in Need).

There is also a range of clothing available for babies and children.  I love the t-shirts available but unfortunately little man’s size was unavailable.  There is a decent choice available for little ones to “show their spots” for BBC Children in Need.

As well as a range of clothing for BBC Children in Need you can also get Pudsey and Blush teddy bears for £5 (£1 going to BBC Children in Need).  Little man loves the adorable Blush teddy bear.  Also available at Asda are a range of other BBC Children in Need goodies including hair accessories; little man’s older cousins love these accessories with Pudsey and Blush ears.

As well as clothing, accessories and gorgeous Pudsey and Blush teddy bears Asda are also offering exclusive baking products.  This year Asda are encouraging the nation to bake delicious cupcakes and cookies to raise funds for BBC Children in Need.  To show your support for this charity whilst you bake lots for BBC Children in Need you can purchase a Pudsey Adult Apron from Asda for £8 (£2 going to the charity).  Asda are also selling a range of baking products to help you get baking; colourful silicone cupcake cases for £2 (10p going to BBC Children in Need), Mixing Bowls for £4 (20p going to BBC Children in Need) and a Cupcake stand for £6 (30p going to BBC Children in Need) perfect for showcasing tasty cupcakes.  The colourful mixing bowls are perfect for mixing up some delicious goodies, in the meantime the Pudsey gingerbread bear available from Asda for £1 (10p going to BBC Children in Need) is perfect for satisfying my cravings for a tasty treat.

“Show Yours Spots, Let’s Bake Lots”

Build-a-Bear Workshop.

Build-a-Bear Workshop has a range of BBC Children in Need bears available.  Donations to BBC Children in Need are made with every purchase of a BBC Children Need bear. 

Thanks to Build-a-Bear Workshop you can create and build-your-own Pudsey and Blush bear.  As well as being able to build-your-own BBC Children in Need bear there is a selection of special BBC Children in Need clothes available to dress the gorgeous Pudsey and Blush bears in.  The build-your-own Pudsey and Blush bears cost £15 (£5 is donated to BBC Children in Need), the Pudsey Hoodie costs £5 (£1 goes to BBC Children in  Need), Pudsey Spotty PJ’s are £10 (£1 goes to BBC Children in Need), Blush Skirt Set costs £10 (£1 goes to BBC Children in Need) and the Pudsey Slippers cost £4.50 (£1 is donated to BBC Children in Need).

Build-a-Bear Workshop also has special edition miniature versions of the loveable BBC Children in Need bears available.  Pudsey and Blush Small Fry have cute little outfits that are of course BBC Children in Need themed.   The Small Fry Pudsey and Blush bear costs £8 (£1 is donated to BBC Children in Need).  The Small Fry Pudsey PJ’s and Small Fry Blush dress both cost £5 each (£1 is donated to BBC Children in Need).

You can still donate to BBC Children in Need even if you prefer to buy a different type of cuddly friend from Build-a-Bear Workshop instead of a BBC Children in Need bear by getting a special Purple Heart to go inside your cuddly toy.  The special Purple Hearts cost £1 and 100% of the £1 goes to BBC Children in Need.

BBC Children in Need bears can be purchased at Build-a-Bear stores and on the Build-a-Bear Workshop website.

Boots.

Last yearBoots raised a staggering £600,000 for BBC Children in Need and hope to raise even more this year through the sale of a selection of products.  A range of BBC Children in Need merchandise  from Boots which can be purchased in Boots stores and on the BBC Children in Need page on the Boots website.

Cute and cuddly Pudsey and Blush bears for £6 each (25% of the purchase price goes to BBC Children in Need).

Fun and furry Pudsey and Blush ears for £2.50 each (25% of the purchase price goes to BBC Children in Need).

Exclusive Pudsey and Blush glitter pin badge set for £2 (a minimum of £1 from each sale goes to BBC Children in Need).  The glitter pin badge sets are only available in store.

Colourful wristbands for £1 each (a minimum of 50p goes to BBC Children in Need).  The wristbands are only available instore.

A variety of other stores are also selling BBC Children in Need merchandise and a list of partner organisations that have created their own Pudsey-themed products can be seen on the BBC Children in Need website on the 'Pudsey on the high street' page.  I think the Lego Pudsey Bear is very creative and I love, love, love Theo Fennell’s two limited edition bracelets for BBC Children In Need, the BBC Children in Need Skull Friendship Bracelet is my favourite….if only I had £85 so that I could get one and support a bear-illiant charity at the same time as getting a gorgeous bracelet.

As well as help support and raise money for BBC Children in Need by purchasing Pudsey themed products you can help by taking part or supporting the many sponsored events across the country.  You can also contribute to this incredible charity by donating directly to Children in Need; you can donate at a bank, building society or at a post office, online, through PayPal, by phone or by text plus a few other ways, all of which can be seen on the Donate page on the BBC Children in Need website.

There is still time to purchase BBC Children in Need themed products and support a fantastic cause at the same time.  I hope everyone who is taking part in sponsored events across the UK has a brilliant time doing so and I think it is fantastic that people take time to support and raise money for this worthwhile charity.

There are so many worthy charities to be had but as BBC Children in Need helps disadvantaged children and young people in the UK it is one of my favourites and one that I do support.  I will be enjoying the appeal this Friday and I will be showing my spots as we all help raise lots.

More information about BBC Children in Need.

“Show Your Spots, Let’s Raise Lots!”