Children in Need marked across the West Country

Pudsey bear - a yellow mascot with a colourful band over one eye - posing with children at a primary school. The children are all dressed in navy blue uniforms. Two of them have Pudsey ears on their heads. They are all looking at the camera and smiling.

Many children around the West Country, including these Priestley Primary School pupils in Calne, Wiltshire, had the chance to meet Pudsey earlier

Chloe Harcombe
West of England

People around the West Country have been fundraising and meeting Pudsey for BBC Children in Need.

Challenges and bake sales have been held across Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire in a bid to raise as much money as possible for the cause.

BBC Children in Need funds vital support for children and young people struggling with mental or physical health, poverty, social inequality, family-related issues and much more. Since the first major appeal in 1980, it has raised more than £1bn.

Fundraising campaigns are held every year in the lead-up to the BBC Children in Need Appeal show, which will be hosted live on BBC One later.

This year, teams of BBC Radio presenters embarked on a 1,000-mile (1,600km) three-legged challenge to raise money.

To celebrate the day, Pudsey paid the children at Southfield Junior School and Eastrop Infant School in Highworth, Wiltshire a visit.

He posed for photos, offered high fives and took part in the Activate Challenge led by Joe Wicks.

A group of school staff and young students pictured with Pudsey Bear at a primary school. They are all looking at the camera and smiling.

Pudsey with staff and students at Southfield Junior School and Eastrop Infant School in Highworth, Wiltshire

Pudsey Bear stood at the front of a school hall. A large crowd of children are in the distance.

Pudsey joined in with Joe Wicks' Activate Challenge

All the children there have spent the week running 25 laps around the playground.

Kimberley O'Sullivan, the head teacher, said the children had raised £6,824 for charity so far.

"We've put a lot of effort into Children in Need this year and the children have been doing an incredible effort with their fundraising," she added.

Elsewhere in the region, more than 400 people voted for two members of staff to be gunged at Little Adventures Nurseries in Taunton and Bridgwater.

Heidi Simmons and Ella Samson received the most votes for the Bridgwater branch.

Two women pictured outdoors. The one on the left has long brown hair and is wearing a yellow Pudsey T-shirt. The one on the right has dark hair that's tied up and she is wearing a black T-shirt and pink Pudsey bear ears. Both of them are looking at the camera and smiling.

Heidi Simmons (L) and Ella Samson before they were gunged

Two women covered in green gunge. Heidi Simmons, on the left, has her mouth open but is smiling a little. She is sat next to Ella Samson, who has her mouth open and a frown on her face in shock.

The pair after getting gunged for BBC Children in Need

Laura Filer, the co-founder of the nursery, said the idea was suggested as the team wanted to do "something a bit different" for charity this year.

"They weren't sure how it was going to land with the teams, but actually everyone was willing to put their hand up and raise as much money as they could.

"It's been really exciting," she added.

Other challenges, pyjama parties and bake sales were also held to raise money.

Pudsey also spent time in Gloucestershire earlier where he visited children and staff at Slimbridge Primary School and Taylored Mentoring Services.

Many of them dressed up for the occasion.

The students at Slimbridge Primary School spent time doing arts and crafts to decorate ahead of his arrival.

Pudsey bear pictured with a group of small children in a classroom. He has both thumbs up. The children are smiling and some of them are looking at him.

The children were excited to meet Pudsey at Slimbridge Primary School

A display board full of Pudsey Bears. Each bear has been coloured and decorated. There is a sign on the board reading "BBC Children in Need"

A board of Pudseys at Slimbridge Primary School

Pudsey bear with a group of adults and children at Taylored Mentoring in Gloucestershire.

Pudsey posing with staff and children at Taylored Mentoring Services

And although the staff at Kingswood Leisure Centre did not participate in any challenges, they hosted a bake sale with a range of sweet treats.

They also dressed up and decorated for the occasion.

Four women stood behind a table full of cakes and baked goods. Three of them are wearing yellow T-shirts and yellow Pudsey ears, while one wears a blue T-shirt and no ears. They are all looking at the camera and smiling.

Kingswood Leisure Centre hosted a bake sale

A group of eight children, all under the age of four, stand in a line with two pre-school workers. They all have stickers on their faces and clothes and are standing in front of a banner with Pudsey bear faces on it.

Children at Cherry Blossom Pre-school in Cheltenham have been taking on Children in Need challenges all week

Children at Cherry Blossom Pre-school in Cheltenham have been taking part in activities for Children in Need all week.

Each day, they have taken on a challenge with the number 25 in mind - for example doing 25 star jumps.

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