FANTASTIC fundraisers from across the borough pulled out all the stops to raise money for this year’s Children in Need.

Events were organised throughout Basingstoke and Deane as people united to generate funds for the annual BBC charity appeal, which this year raised an incredible record-breaking £37 million.

Driving instructors in Basingstoke joined in with the fun via The Big Learner Relay, which pulled in more than £65,000 for the cause.

The relay covered 2,500 miles over 15 days, involving 135 instructors and pupils.

It arrived in Basingstoke on Friday, November 13 where Basingstoke instructor James Jesshope joined the convoy at The Hilton Hotel.

The relay began in Northern Ireland in October, before heading to the Isle of Wight and then onto the UK before finishing in Swindon on November 13 – the official day of Children in Need.

Organised by driving instructor Louise Walsh, the relay went from one driving lesson to the next raising money for Children in Need along the way.

Basingstoke Gazette:

A Kingsclere charity was chosen to feature on BBC’s coverage of Children in Need on Friday night.

Living Paintings has been supported by Children in Need and was selected to appear in one of the BBC 1 programme’s special films which shows viewers how their money can help.

The charity provides touch to see books for blind and partially sighted people of all ages, and the film, narrated by singer Ellie Goulding, told the story of Living Paintings’ 10,000 library user Tayen.

Emily Barber, the charity’s digital marketing executive, said: “We were absolutely over the moon to appear on the programme. It gives us a chance to raise awareness and we had an amazing response through social media.”

In Beggarwood, children from Kiddi Caru day nursery dressed up as superheroes for the day to raise funds for Children in Need, while staff undertook a 12-hour cross trainer relay challenge. Youngsters had their photograph taken in return for a donation to the charity, and the day raised more than £400.

Basingstoke Gazette:

Suzanne Chilvers, nursery manager, said: “We all had a fabulous day and are over the moon that we managed to raise so much money for this wonderful cause.”

Staff at The Hampshire Court Hotel, in Chineham, held fundraising activities throughout the whole week for Children in Need. These included games, a bring-and-buy book sale and colour in competition, finishing the week with a fancy dress day and bake sale.

Basingstoke Gazette:

Students at The Clere School spent the day as entrepreneurs in support of the appeal. Each tutor group planned their own fundraising ideas, including splat the rat, treasures hunts and a silly photo booth, which were held on the Friday to generate funds, raising £1,235.