BBC Children in Need: Were you in any of these north fundraising capers?

By Susy Macaulay

November 18 2022, 11:45 am

Children in Need has always been a good excuse for fundraising frolics, and Asda Portlethen's Helen Flanagan, Helen Leiper, Marlene Reaper and Maria Malcolm are seen here getting into the spirit with a fancy dress dash round the store, in 2002.

It’s that time again, the annual telethon which justifies all sorts of crazy fundraising capers in aid of BBC Children in Need.

Since its 1980 beginnings, BBC Children in Need has raised more than £1.5 billion for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

Back in 1980, it was envisaged as segments linking the evening’s programming and was fronted by Terry Wogan, Sue Lawley and Esther Rantzen.

That year it raised £1 million, a signal that the idea was a good one.

A large group of people smile at the camera after raising money for Children In Need — A disco at the Palm Court Hotel, Aberdeen in 1990 for local business folk raised £1200 for BBC Children in Need.

After that, the segments grew longer and began to usurp regular programming, so that by 1984 it became a single continuous programme, gradually including events on radio and online.

People in the north needed no encouragement to join in the fundraising.

Did you take part in any of these escapades?

Spooky fundraising for Children in Need at Drum Castle

Three people in medieval costumes standing outside Drum Castle for Children In Need — Here Daring Doreen decided on Drum for her daft caper in 1989.

Ladbrokes district manager Doreen King, 46, from Blackhill, Peterhead decided to spend the night in spooky Drum Castle to raise funds for Children In Need.

She took with her a lady-in-waiting, alias Christine Stuart and page Tony Graver.

History doesn’t record if they encountered spooky goings-on, but what are those ghostly orbs between the two ladies’ heads?

Ironing for Children in Need

Four women holding irons and leaning on an ironing board, behind them is a sign reading "BB Children In Need appeal"

Not content with ironing for a living, ladies from Express Ironing Service in Chatten Place, Aberdeen undertook a 24-hour iron-in in 1989.

They are from left, Deborah Buchanan, Dorothy Watt, Wilma Ross and Fiona Willats.

Charging £1 per shirt, and hoping to raise £1,000- never have the folk of Aberdeen looked so well turned out.

Fundraising prizes to be won

A crowd of people standing outside a plane for Children In Need

Children in Need raffles could give good pay-outs.

Here, in 1990, 36 lucky winners are waiting to board their prize flight over Aberdeen.

The trip was one of the prizes offered as part of the fundraising events at Aberdeen Airport.

Pictured with the passengers are the Brymon Airways crew Captain Wally Rhodes dressed as Children in Needs mascot Pudsey Bear, Captain Syd Fleet dressed as a gorilla, steward Morag Jamieson as a rabbit and steward Lesley Moar as a Christmas fairy. 2 December 1990.

We can only hope Captain Rhodes didn’t pilot the plane in that outfit.

Children in Need celebrity guests

A crowd of children along with Fiona Kennedy fundraising for Children In Need

Always good when celebrities get involved- the quality of the photos ramps up a notch.

Here in 1992 singer Fiona Kennedy (front centre) is flanked by, clockwise from bottom left: Stephanie Grange, Victoria Road School; Anna Gisby and Rosalyn Foote, Aberdeen Grammar; and Fraser McDougal.

Behind are other school pupils who were in Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen, to record for a BBC Children in Need programme.

A man surrounded by women in exotic dancing costumes — Every man’s dream.

Bruce Shaw of Westhill was probably just enjoying a quiet drink in the Westhill Hotel in 1991 when a group of exotic dancers appeared and kidnapped him.

The five Aberdeen belly dancers were fundraising on behalf of the Children in Need appeal. From left, they are Alfie Spencer, Vie Alexander, Shirley Howley, Barbara Kelly and their teacher, Eugiene Warner.

Age is never a barrier

A large group of children of various ages

Age is never a fundraising barrier.

Taking the floor for Children In Need in 1989 are two-year-old Jamie Lennox and his dancing partner Alana McDonald, also two.

They danced the night away at a disco organised by the mums of Corthan Place, Kincorth, Aberdeen, held in The Abbot, Provost Watt Drive, Kincorth.

Women in costumes peeking their heads out from among wedding dresses on the rail

A bridal shop is the perfect place for dressing up and playing hide and seek among the billowing white folds.

Here are the staff of Brides Delight at Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen in 2006 raising money for Children in Need.

Back left to right Lisa Mann, Diane Eveleigh, Georgy Selfridges, Lisa Milne Middle- Kelly Pirie Front left to right Kathleen Gallacher, Leeanne Tang, Margaret Craigmyle.

Dressed up for donating

Children dressed in various costumes raising money for Children In Need

At least whoever wears the Pudsey outfit gets to keep warm —and lie in bed if they’re lucky.

Nice job for Hazel Aitken who got a shove along Aberdeen’s chilly beach promenade in 2000 from Matthew Packard, Gary Bell, Simon Gissling, Billy Dawson, Ashley Anderson, Pudsey and Amanda Aitken, staff, children and management of the Waterwheel Inn, Bieldside, Aberdeen.