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The 5 Nation 48 Challenge for �� Children in Need

2014-07-18T11:17:48+00:00

On August 1 2014, an all-star football team led by veteran fundraiser Barry Donegan will be embarking on a very unusual challenge. The team will be playing 5 football games… in 5 nations… within a 48 hour time period! It’s all part of The 5 Nations 48 Challenge, the brainchild of Barry and his friend David, all in aid of �� Children in Need! It’s not going to be easy, but if they succeed, they could even end up with a Guinness World Record!

However, these aren’t just any football teams – professional footballers and stars from the nation’s favourite soaps are all giving up their time to make the challenge work! Ex-footballers such as Lee Sharpe and Gary Bennett (just two of many) will be taking on soap luminaries such as Nick Pickard and Alan Halsall, all to have a bit of fun and raise a bit of cash.

The Route

It all starts at 6pm on August 1 2014. The first game will be played at Gretna Football club in Scotland. The team will be facing a strong side made up of ex-Carlisle United players.

After this dramatic start the team will then cross the water over to Northern Ireland for their next game at 10am the next morning, taking on a team including Jim Magilton and Stephen Robinson.

A whirlwind day then sees the (by now probably quite tired) team travelling south into Ireland to face off against a team headed by Boyzone's Keith Duffy. Kick off starts at 5pm at Peamount United Football Ground. Keith's put together an all-star team of ex-footballer and celebrities, so this should be a great game to see.

The following morning finds the journeying back over the water to Wales for a challenging game against Pen-y-cae FC, with a kick off at 10am at Pen-y-cae FC's ground.

The fifth and final game pitts a tired but determined team against the 'TV Select; team at Nantwich Town Football Club at 2.30pm. This game matches our charity team against a squad made of players from popular TV soaps. Some of the names confirmed include Danny Miller from Emmerdale, Nick Pickard and Nico Mirallegro from Hollyoaks , Jamie Lomas from Eastenders, and TV favourite Ralph Little.

A photo from Barry's previous star-laden football tournament!

Fancy getting involved, or simply feel like watching the beautiful game? You can help Barry and the gang reach their £20,000 fundraising target just by attending a game at the locations above - all of the games look set to be good fun! Alternatively you can donate a little something to Barry and the boys - you can find their donation page here. Of course, every penny they raise will go towards helping children and young people right here, in the UK. Good luck Barry, and a big thank you from everyone here at Pudsey HQ!

Fundraising Heroes - Northern Ireland

2013-10-03T08:29:38+00:00

Over the past few weeks we’ve been visiting every country in the UK celebrating our fundraising heroes, and this week we’ve arrived at our final destination – Northern Ireland! As always there have been lots of people setting their sights high to raise as much money as possible for �� Children in Need.

One fundraiser who is setting her sights very high indeed is Chloe from County Down. Although she’s only seven years old Chloe (with a little bit of organisational help from her mum and her granddad) is attempting something pretty big this October – she’ll be climbing Northern Ireland’s highest mountain Slieve Donard! Chloe has been preparing for the climb for several weeks now, and in the run-up to the big day she’s been fundraising at home with her family, and at school with her friends! Chloe’s granddad Gerry got in touch to tell us how proud he was of his granddaughter: “I really believe that Chloe will do both herself and �� Children In Need proud by taking part in this unusual challenge for a seven year old!”

Chloe's feeling confident about her upcoming challenge!

This is no small challenge – Slieve Donard is the highest peak in Northern Ireland, so Pudsey and the team want to wish Chloe the very best of luck for her challenge.

The staff and pupils at Dunmurry Primary School in Belfast are getting involved this year in a very eye-catching way. As well as running before-school breakfast clubs for sleepy students to attend in their #pyjamas, they’re also showing their fundraising spirit to the whole of Belfast by covering their school in Pudsey spots for our Appeal week in November! We think this is going to look brilliant, and we can’t wait to see some photos! And these aren’t the only heroes in Dunmurry this year – we’ve also heard from Marian at Country Oaks Daycare, where the staff and children are looking forward to a heroes-themed sponsored walk and dance. To add to the excitement, we’ve heard rumours floating around that there might even be a visit from a very special yellow guest…

If you’re in County Down on Tuesday 12 November and fancy some fundraising fun, why not check out David Boden’s �� Children in Need quiz night? Quizmaster David will be hosting a night of intense quizzing set to get residents of County Down contemplatively scratching their heads and stroking their chins. And it gets better: the wonderful team at Ballydugan Mill, a beautiful 18 Century flour mill, have kindly let David use the venue for free! A pub quiz for �� Children in Need, set in beautiful surroundings? Count us in!

Our last hero is Davida Wallace, a brave hairdresser from Ballymoney. Davida will be courageously shaving her hair off for �� Children in Need. With autumn just around the corner and temperatures soon starting to drop, this is indeed a very heroic effort by Davida. Good luck, and thanks for braving the winter with a shaved head for �� Children in Need.

A gigantic thank you to our heroes – every donation helps children and young people right here in the UK. If you’re planning to do something heroic this year, let us know! Just email your local address on this page to tell us what you’re up to. You can also get in touch by following us on Twitter, tagging @��CiN, and using our main campaign hashtag, #BeAHero. We're also on Facebook. We can help you to promote your fundraising events and maybe, just maybe, you could be a �� Children in Need Fundraising Hero!

Meningitis Awareness Week 2013

2013-09-17T15:54:44+00:00

This week marks Meningitis Awareness Week. Thanks to your support, we’re able to help people affected by meningitis like James and his family.

�� Children in Need helped James and his family who were all affected by meningitis.

James, who’s nearly seven, is always on the go! He loves playing outside – especially on his trampoline. But his mum and dad always have to keep an eye on him because he’s more fragile than many children. He was born 24 weeks prematurely, weighing just a pound. Then, in February 2007 when he was still just a baby, he fell ill with meningococcal septicaemia. As a result, he has poor eyesight, learning difficulties, mobility and balance problems.

To help James at school, a special educational needs worker supports him so that he has the best chance of achieving his full potential. But his illness affected the rest of his family too. His parents were desperately worried about him and his older sister Melissa watched him fight for his life. So they and little sister Trudy, who’s four, were all invited to go to the Meningitis Trust’s Family Day in Northern Ireland, that’s funded by �� Children in Need. There, Melissa met an art therapist and continues to have Art Therapy to help her work through her fears and worries. They also met and became firm friends with another family who’d been through a similarly frightening experience. Now the two mums regularly meet up for coffee to support each other.

Thanks to your donations, �� Children in Need was able to award a grant of £3,000 to pay for families like James’ in Northern Ireland who have experienced meningitis to go to their local Family Day.

They were just one of the 21 families who were able to enjoy the family day at Stormont Pavilion on September 14 with activities ranging from Jo Jingles music sessions to face painting, balloon modellers, craft tables, cupcake making and mask designing.

We wanted to tell you all about James to mark Meningitis Awareness Week which takes place to coincide with the increased risk of contracting meningitis – a swelling of the brain and spinal cord lining and septicaemia – blood poisoning – as we move into autumn and winter. To find out more about the difference your money makes, visit our 'Who You Help' section.

Family Fun in Northern Ireland

2013-05-14T12:21:51+00:00

This Bank Holiday Monday (27 May) is a date for the diary if you want to have amazing family fun and raise money for �� Children in Need!

The Family Fun Day is in support of �� Children in Need and the event will run from 10am to 6pm at Stormont Estate with the guarantee to give both children and parents a very enjoyable day out. There are a wide range of activities including live entertainment with a Lady Gaga tribute act, amusements, motorcycle displays and sports day activities. There will be numerous trampolines, bouncy castles and even an opportunity to enter your non-pedigree dog in our Scruffts heat. Maybe your dog could follow in the footsteps of crossbreed Becky from Bangor. Becky qualified at last year's Fun Day and went on to make history as the first ever Scruffts winner at Crufts.

The Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson is lending his support and is more than happy to help launch the Fun Day for the second year running.

Speaking about this year’s event this said: “I would encourage families to come along and check out what The Family Fun Day has to offer. Not only is there going to be a huge amount of fun and various activities to enjoy but it is also set in impressive surroundings in Stormont Estate.

“The Family Fun Day really does cater for all ages, there are bouncy castles, egg and spoon races, puppet shows and live entertainment from Hugo Duncan who will be broadcasting his show from the estate. The list of activities is endless and apart from the funfair type attractions, the vast majority of the event's attractions can be enjoyed free of charge so it really does provide a value for money day out.

“Last year's family fun day raised £22,000 and we will be doing all we can to maintain this level of support to a great cause in �� Children in Need. I hope with your help we can make this year’s event even bigger and better and hope you all can come along and enjoy everything the Fun Day has to offer.”

Ronnie McAleese, the Event Director, who makes these fun days happen every year, had this to say: “I am delighted with the way in which this event has grown since the first one was held in 2008. It really is aimed at the whole family and with all the new attractions this year it should be bigger and better than ever.”

You can view the full programme of events taking place at the Family Fun Day by visiting the nidirect website.

(Picture taken by William Cherry (Press Eye))

Disabled Young People get together for Fun and Friendship

2013-03-22T16:39:00+00:00

We're carrying on our tour of �� Children in Need funded projects in the UK by looking at two events in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Disabled young people have been getting together in the two countries for 'Fun and Friendship' events.

The Fun and Friendship Programme was designed to increase the opportunities for disabled young people across the UK to make new friends and to socialise more independently.

Cardiff City Stadium was the venue in Wales for the event which brought people together to talk with each other about some of the challenges that disabled teenagers face when they want to go out and have the sort of social lives that most young people take for granted.

Twelve young people from the two organisations in Wales that are participating - Mencap Cymru’s Play Our Way Project and Whizz-Kidz ‘Kidz Together Now’ Project - talked with participants from schools, Sports Disability Wales, Children in Wales, the Community Police and the transport industry, to name but a few. We were also delighted that representatives from our Corporate partners at Cineworld and Boots were able to join the lively conversations.

Some very practical solutions were identified that would help making getting out and about easier and more enjoyable for disabled young people. For example, would it not be possible for travel identity cards - which have proved to be so helpful in Gwynedd - to be issued to all disabled young people in the whole of Wales?

Discussion was upbeat and constructive, but one young man struck a chord with everyone when he said, very matter-of-factly, that whenever he went anywhere he went with the, often realised, expectation that he would not be accepted.

Guests included Junior Minister Jennifer McCann

In Belfast invited guests including Junior Minister Jennifer McCann and Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Patricia Lewsley Mooney.

Whilst describing some of the many barriers that often make it difficult for disabled young people, solutions were also proposed. Young people from Compass’s S.INC Project demonstrated the power of peer buddying, and all the young participants had some very practical suggestions to make to the Translink representative about how public transport might become more user friendly.

The young people had lots to say and the opportunity to share their ideas. Most importantly they were able to share them with people who were really listening and who are committed to making real and positive change.

The most resonating message was that the changes that matter most are changes in attitudes and understanding. Practical difficulties can often be overcome if everyone takes a little bit more time to listen to and understand each other. Those who were there all identified things that they could easlily do in their personal of professional lives which would make a positive difference.

Imagine the scale of the change that could be made if we all did the same.

Darllenwch yn Gymraeg

Find out more about who �� Children in Need help in your area by clicking here.

Watch our appeal films by clicking here.

Happy St Patrick's Day - Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig 2012!

2012-08-14T12:28:19+00:00

This news article was first published on 17 March 2012.

Whilst the nation is gearing up to celebrate St Patrick's Day, we want to let you know just how much difference your money is making to the lives of children and young people in Northern Ireland.

James from Whizz Kidz

Your fundraising and donations contribute towards 298 different projects, run by various organisations, that help children and young people all over Northern Ireland to feel safer, happier and better able to reach their full potential.

Two examples are the Whizz Kidz scheme, which helps young wheelchair users form their own local network, and ABC Saints Boxing Club in Belfast - a hive of activity to help young people keep their minds and bodies healthy.

Click below to read more about how children have benefited from those schemes:

Whizz Kidz

ABC Saints Boxing Club

�� NI Summer Story Fest

2012-07-30T10:09:36+00:00

�� Northern Ireland is working with local authors and storytellers this summer to bring hands on reading and writing activities to children aged 4-11. �� Children in Need are delighted to be part of the event and even Pudsey himself will make an appearance!

Children can join in the creation of a giant story book, read aloud to Pudsey or get involved with the Summer Story Fest Book Swap. Creative writing workshops, word games and other activities are on offer to encourage them to read and write more. Parents will find lots of ideas and suggestions to encourage reading at home.

The Summer Story Fest tented village will pop up in three locations around Northern Ireland this August. All activities are free and each event is open to the public from 11.30am-4.30pm. Children can meet and read aloud with Pudsey Bear at all three locations so bring a book to one of the Summer Story Fest events and explore a world where stories are fun..

Wednesday 1 August
The Promenade in Newcastle, Co Down. Experience live storytelling with Lexy Higgins, meet Children’s Author Paul Howard and consult the Book Doctor for recommended reads. Find out more on �� Things To Do website.

Friday 3 August
The Seafront in Ballycastle. Enjoy storytelling at the seaside with Liz Weir, take part in creative writing workshops with Paul Howard and get reading suggestions from the Book Doctor. Find out more on �� Things To Do website.

Saturday 4 August
The bandstand in Ward Park, Bangor plays host to the Summer Story Fest tented village. Join Liz Weir and Children’s Author Derek Keilty for storytelling and creative writing fun. The Book Doctor will be on hand with recommended reads. Find out more on �� Things To Do website

These free events are being organised in partnership with Libraries NI, Book Trust, �� Children In Need and Local Councils. So, pop along to Summer Story Fest and discover how you can help your children bring stories to life.

�������� Children in Need Feed

The 5 Nation 48 Challenge for �������� Children in Need