Thousands of pounds was raised in Shrewsbury last weekend as people young and old joined together to raise money for Children in Need.
Thirteen members of staff from Shrewsbury-based Travail Employment Group and Bower Properties hired in a real-life Pudsey bear last Friday and decorated a VW camper van with colourful spots before setting off around the town raising money.
They held an assembly for children at Radbrook Primary School and then stopped off at Shrewsbury Business Park looking for donations, with many firms already holding their own fundraising activities.
Then they met people in the Square and Pride Hill before setting off to the Children’s Ward at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital where Pudsey delighted youngsters who were said to be ‘beside themselves’ with excitement.
The group then returned to the town centre for more fundraising – they raised almost £3,000 for Children in Need.
Sally Scott, manager at Bower Properties, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day and despite the current climate where everybody is feeling the pinch people really did dig deep and emptied their pockets and purses for the good cause.
“The atmosphere throughout the day was wonderful and the children at RSH were just beside themselves when they saw Pudsey which is what it was all about really.”
Children at Oakmeadow Infant School, in Bayston Hill, took part in a whole host of fun activities including dressing up in spots and enjoying cakes and cookies baked by parents and the PTA.
Money was also raised during a sponsored silence and the school expected to have raised up to £500 for the charity.
Anna Stower, who has a son at the school and is on the PTA, said: “It was a really good day and from what we’ve had in so far we expect to have raised between four and five hundred pounds.
“There was a great atmosphere at the school and all the children took part and contributed in one way or another.”
Meole Brace School went all-out in their fundraising endeavours by hosting a sold-out Strictly Come Dancing event last Tuesday with four groups of teaching staff also taking part.
About 370 pupils, staff and helpers at Greenfields Primary School took part in the fundraising extravaganza by dressing up in spots and beanbag racing was the theme of the day at Shrewsbury High School Nursery as they also played their part for Children in Need.
By David Seadon