It’s that time of year again, as many people have been asking when is Pudsey Day 2023?
Children in Need is a charity organisation that raises money to support disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, and just as you’d don a red nose for Red Nose Day, the charity also has an iconic symbol that’s led to people calling the special event ‘Pudsey Day’.
The organisation’s flagship event is an annual telethon broadcast on the BBC, during which celebrities, royals (such as Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton), musicians, comedians and presenters come together to encourage people to donate to the charity.
The funds raised are distributed to a wide range of projects and organisations that work to improve the lives of children facing various challenges, such as illness, disability or poverty.
Pudsey the Bear – the charity’s official mascot – plays a central role in promoting the charity’s fundraising efforts, particularly during the annual Children in Need programme, when the famous bear appears on screen wearing a distinctive eye patch and spotted bandana.
Last year, the show was opened by Mimi Webb, who performed Ghosts of You to get things going. A plethora of celebrities then lent their talents to the show, including Bradley Walsh presenting a Blankety Blank special, and Lewis Capaldi lighting up the stage with a performance of Forget You. Read on to find out when Children in Need is set to air in 2023, and what to expect from the show.
When is Pudsey Day 2023?
Children in Need's Pudsey Day will take place on Friday November 17, 2023. There will also be a variety of Children in Need TV shows airing in the run up to the main event.
The theme for Children in Need 2023, is "SPOTacular, with the fundraising evening itself, named "The Great SPOTacular Appeal Night." The aim of SPOTacular is to encourage the public to be as SPOTacular as the can, offering plenty of ways to achieve this and raise money for the appeal - this can include donning your best spotty outfit, baking spotty cupcakes, or taking part in once of the SPOTacular challenges outlined in the fundraising ideas and resources pack.
Join our EPIC fundraising challenge: Pudsey Bearpees with @thebodycoach! 🐻💪Jomplete 1,000 Bearpees over the course of a month - kicking off on October 16th!For more info and all your fundraising resources, head to https://t.co/CfmlzQwh5f 📲#TeamBearpees pic.twitter.com/2uGcA3wEJoSeptember 18, 2023
The Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need also returns this year, for a 2023 special - this will be the ninth year in a row for the charity show. Matt Baker MBE, John Craven, Anita Rani, Margherita Taylor and Charlotte Smith will be pulling out their best walking shoes and encouraging the public to join them.
The regular Countryfile presenters will be joined by six inspirational young people who have lived through very challenging circumstances. John Craven said: "We’re thrilled to be in our ninth year of Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need. This is always such an exciting time of year for our viewers, and I know they will be supporting the presenters and young people taking on this year’s ramble challenges.
Going on a sponsored ramble is a brilliant way to help change the lives of children and young people across the UK for the better – taking part in a ramble is not only good for your wellbeing and physical health but will give projects and local charities the funds they need to give young people a brighter future."
DIY SOS will once again be partnering with Radio 2, as part of this year’s BBC Children in Need 10th Big Build. The team will be building a bespoke children’s counselling and therapy centre for Treetops Hospice in Risley, Derbyshire.
Jules Kirk, Therapeutic Services Manager at Treetops Hospice said: "We are absolutely over the moon to have the DIY SOS and Radio 2 team come to Derbyshire to create a brand-new counselling and therapy centre within our grounds in Risley. Just like adults, children who have lost someone important can find themselves struggling with a powerful range of emotions which can affect their daily lives and relationships at home and school."
The importance of having a positive relationship in a child’s life cannot be underestimated. Who was yours? 💛Money raised through BBC Children in Need’s 2023 Appeal will support children and young people across the UK who urgently need our support.https://t.co/CfmlzQwh5f pic.twitter.com/5zQOgIEm8tSeptember 18, 2023
New for this year will be The Pudsey Bearpees Challenge, with The Body Coach, Joe Wicks. Children in Need and Joe are challenging schools get school children sponsored to complete 1000 Bearpees during Appeal Week, every day from Monday 13th to Friday 17th November - this can be collectively as a class, or any way to get the target met.
Speaking on The One Show, Joe Wicks said of the number of bearpees: "That might seem a really scary number, but its only 33 a day. And we want to get as many people to take part, and raise as much money as possible for Pudsey and Children in Need." He added "Our aim is to get 100,000 people doing this. And if everyone does one thousand bearpees, that's one hundred million bearpees."
Jason Manford, Mel Giedroyc, Alex Scott MBE, Ade Adepitan MBE, and Chris Ramsey
Who is presenting Children in Need 2023?
The stellar line up has finally been confirmed by the BBC, and includes returning presenters of Children in Need 2022: Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc, Jason Manford, Chris Ramsey and Alex Scott MBE.
The latest addition to join the presenting squad is 14-year-old Lenny Rush, who's best known for his roles in Doctor Who and comedy dramas Dodger and Am I Being Unreasonable?
They will be joined by famous faces Christine McGuinness, Roman Kemp, and Laura Whitmore, as they put their names to the 2023 fundraising appeal and the spotlight it places on the power of positive relationships. Former athletes Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Dame Kelly Holmes, and former footballers Jermaine Jenas and Jill Scott are also joining the campaign.
The One Show's Alex Jones, S Club singer Rachel Stevens, and rapper Big Zuu are also showing their support. Speaking of the positive relationship she had with her mum, Laura Whitmore said "I grew up in a single parent household and the person who believed in me and made me feel happy and positive during my childhood was my mum"
She added "My mum is an incredible woman and has worked so hard to allow me to do all the mad things I have wanted to do. She’s always been there to support me and is still supporting me now through my adult life. Every child deserves a positive relationship in their life that champions them and gives them the support they need to be the best they can be, so I hope everyone up and down the UK gets behind this year’s (appeal)."
How to fundraise for Children in Need 2023:
- Be part of the Countryfile Ramble and raise vital funds for BBC Children in Need. You can download your rambling fundraising pack now.
- Fundraise in style by dressing up for BBC Children in Need Day - wear fancy dress to the office, a Zoom meeting, to the shops or anywhere you like!
- Host a bake sale: Whether you’re selling Pudsey biscuits or competing for top baker, there’s no easier way to raise money than by grabbing your apron and baking to change young lives! Get some inspo for your creations with these easy baking recipes.
- Game To Give : Children in Need is uniting the gaming world on November 10, when gamers will join forces to help raise money for the charity and highlight the positive impact of video games.
- On-the-spot challenge: Whatever you like to do for fun, get sponsored to do it on the spot for hours at a time - from dance-a-thons and keepy uppy to reading or playing chess.
- The runPudsey challenge: This encourages youngsters to run, swim, cycle, or undertake any physical activity, as long as they get moving and challenge themselves. Each participant is encouraged to try and raise £10 each by taking part, and everyone who raises money receive a runPudsey 2023 medal to celebrate their achievements.
- Just Dance For Pudsey: Children in Need has also teamed up with Just Dance Now and Ukie to offer one lucky school the chance to take part in a live BBC gaming show on Friday, November 10. Broadcast live from Confetti X in Nottingham, the show will play on on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three simultaneously - schools just need to enter by ballot, and one will be picked at random to dance live on TV.
If you're unable to fundraise, you can still just make a straight donation - and there are various ways you can donate to Children in Need. You can donate online, by text or by phone, and some banks, building societies and post offices accept in-person donations too.
If you'd prefer to donate by post, then you're asked to send a cheque and not to send cash in an envelope.
What do you wear on Pudsey Day?
On Pudsey Day, people often wear clothing or accessories to match Pudsey the Bear, which can include yellow clothing, spotty outfits or Pudsey-themed merchandise, such as t-shirts, bandanas or badges.
Many schools and workplaces encourage students and employees to dress up for Children in Need, as it’s a fun way to show support for the charity’s cause and contribute to its fundraising efforts on the day.
Pudsey merchandise 2023:
Children in Need merchandise for adults
Children in Need merchandise for kids
Check out the rest of George at ASDA's Children in Need range here.
How much did Children in Need raise last year?
BBC Children in Need’s 2022 Appeal raised an incredible £35 million during the charity’s 42nd Appeal show.
Highlights of the show included a heart-warming special of The Repair Shop, where Will Kirk completed a very special restoration in honour of a young boy named Etienne. Strictly's Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice - both great friends in real life - putting on a showstopping performance of Nice ‘N’ Easy.
A Graham Norton Red Chair special was followed by Joe Wicks MBE completing his Ultra Marathon - this included a 30 mile walk to help raise vital funds for grassroots projects, and local charities supported by Children in Need. The show was closed with a spectacular performance of Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill, a song that made history after being featured in season 4 of Stranger Things.
Another programme that aims to raise money for charity is the Stand Up to Cancer special, which may have you asking when is Celebrity Bake Off? The festive season is just around the corner, so why not take a look at these charitable Christmas ideas to start a new tradition with the kids?
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