鲍鱼tv Children in Need currently awards grants to more than 2,700 projects that support disadvantaged children and young people all over the UK.
Your donations make such a difference to those who are struggling for whatever reason. And it鈥檚 not only the children and young people that benefit 鈥� the funding we provide supports siblings, parents and whole communities.
Just a stone鈥檚 throw from where you live, there鈥檚 likely to be someone who either benefits from or contributes to the ripple effect of 鲍鱼tv Children in Need funding. Read about some of those people and what our funding means to them.
School children, like these pictured who are from Ravenscote Primary School in Camberley, raise hundreds of pounds for Children in Need each year.
A teenager from Wales: 鈥淚 fell out with my mum and ran away. But life in a homeless shelter was much tougher than I鈥檇 imagined. 鲍鱼tv Children in Need paid for a support worker who helped me work things out. Now I鈥檓 reconciled with my mum.鈥�
A parent from Northern Ireland: 鈥淢y little boy is going to a mainstream school in September and this would not have been possible without the help of the organisation that鈥檚 helped him learn to communicate.鈥�
A games and dance session for children at White Lodge
Annie, Project Leader at White Lodge Trust in Surrey: 鈥淚 would do this job even if I wasn鈥檛 paid. But the small grant we receive makes such a difference. We support disabled children holistically but it鈥檚 often such a struggle for their parents to cope with the exhaustion and all the hospital appointments, that they reach breaking point. They might come to us feeling desperate but they always leave laughing.鈥�
Wendy, Project Leader at Speech, Sign and Song, Nottingham: 鈥淭he funding is vital 鈥� we wouldn鈥檛 exist without it. We were about to shut down and tell all our children and parents that we were closing, and then we were awarded our grant. The sessions mean so much to so many families - it was an incredible relief for everyone.鈥澛�
Lily and Katie
Lily, 11-year-old at The Outlook Trust for the Visually Impaired, Yorkshire: 鈥淚 only have about 10% sight. This means it鈥檚 harder for me to do everyday things and sometimes I miss out on taking part in sports. It can be tough being different to other young people. Sometimes I get tired of being left out. I started going away for weekends with The Outlook Trust where I got to do loads of different activities that I wouldn鈥檛 normally have thought possible. I鈥檝e been sailing, rafting, canoeing and camping. I never feel like the odd one out, and they鈥檝e shown me I can do anything! Thanks to everyone who donated!"
Katie, teenager at Barking & Dagenham Progress Project, Essex: 鈥淚 have Williams鈥� Syndrome which means it can take me longer to do everyday things, and I need a bit more support and understanding. It was hard for me to go along to youth clubs because not everyone understood I needed more support, so I spent most of my time at home. Then someone invited me to Barking & Dagenham Progress Project. It made me really happy! Now I鈥檓 always out and about and have got loads of friends. It鈥檚 the best place ever! Thanks to everyone for giving money to 鲍鱼tv Children in Need this year. Your money helps people like me have fun, social and make new friends.鈥�
Sam Taylor, Head of Childrens and Young Peoples Services: 鈥淭he funding has allowed us, in partnership with Girlguiding Scotland, to open the inclusive Rainbows and Brownies pack for children with disabilities and complex communication support needs at our accessible resource base in Glasgow. The pack has been a great success and is becoming increasingly popular. The children are thoroughly enjoying activities from arts and crafts to games and singing.鈥澛�
Here's a reminder of where your money goes
John, 14-year-old at from Kings Foundation, Liverpool: 鈥淔or the first time in my life I was playing sport and making friends in a place where no one teased me because of my disability. I absolutely loved it. I got my confidence back. I鈥檓 now a sports camp leader and help the younger children. Your money helps young people like me change their lives for the better.鈥�
Mum, Norfolk: 鈥淭hree generations of my family have been supported by Nelson鈥檚 Journey since my brother died in a car accident. They helped us cope with the shock and explained complex things to us so that the children could come to terms with what happened. They鈥檝e been amazing.鈥�
Young woman, Portsmouth: 鈥淲ithout my counsellor I鈥檇 be in despair. She helped me to rebuild my life after I was abused. I鈥檇 be a broken girl if it wasn鈥檛 for her.鈥�
Stevie Spring
Stevie Spring, Chair of Trustees at 鲍鱼tv Children in Need: 鈥淎chieving our highest ever appeal total in over 30 years of telethons took an amazing amount of dedication from 鲍鱼tv colleagues, corporate partners, heroic fundraisers up and down the country and, of course, our dedicated staff and volunteers. It means we can fund even more projects next year and help even more disadvantaged children and young people. So it鈥檚 worth it. On behalf of the Board a heartfelt thanks to everyone who played their part.鈥�
Mark Coburn, Scottish Grants Committee: 鈥淲ith so much child poverty in Scotland it has been rewarding beyond all my expectations to be able to help out at a grass roots level. Visiting some of our funded projects has been the highlight for me 鈥� so many people making a difference across communities all over Scotland."
Boots fundraisers
Colette Phillips, CSR Manager, Boots UK: 鈥�2013 was the 10th year of partnership with 鲍鱼tv Children in Need and we saw an amazing team effort that spanned the company. We were delighted to raise an incredible 拢1 million for this great cause and make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in all corners of the UK.鈥�
Alan Taylor, Community and Social Responsibility Manager, Post Office: 鈥淥ur people and customers love to get involved supporting Pudsey every year knowing that their fundraising efforts and donations make a huge difference to help change young lives across the UK. The Post Office, like 鲍鱼tv Children in Need, is at the heart of the community which is just one of the reasons why we鈥檙e incredibly proud to support 鲍鱼tv Children in Need.鈥�