ÌęThe first clue for parents Marina and Mike that something wasn’t right was during the pregnancy. Marina could always feel one baby wriggling and kicking, but the other felt like a lead weight inside her.

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On the day of their birth Myles was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome and sticky blood, which means that he does not produce plasma.ÌęThe doctor said to the new parents: “One day we hope he might be able to tie his own shoelaces”.ÌęIf tying his shoelaces would be a challenge, what else would Myles struggle with?

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When Marina first tried to breastfeed Myles he couldn'tÌęlatch on properly and seemed unable to control his tongue.ÌęHis tiny body was really cold and he was rushed to special care.ÌęMarina could only lie still terrified about what was happening to him.ÌęÌęÌę

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The twins grew up very closely. Malcolm often used to climb into Myles’ cot in the night, because he missed being close to his twin.Ìę

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Even with all the difficulties of raising a child with Down’s Syndrome, Marina and Mike have been lucky. They have been very well supported and Myles has always been in mainstream education, as they did not want him to be in split apart from other people his age.

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Marina and Mike have worked hard to make sure that he had support all day while at school. In class teachers have taught the other children sign language to help them communicate with Myles, and the children in turn have taught their own parents.

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Myles isÌęalso doing a number of work experience placements. The school runs a cafĂ© for the parents and teachers and with the help of pictures, Myles works there waiting tables.ÌęHe also volunteers on Sunday mornings at the YMCA shop and a farm one day a week.ÌęThis is a real step forward for Myles and helps give him independence and the confidence that he so badly needs.

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±«Óătv Children in Need funds Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group, a charity which supports the family and helps them learn more about the condition.ÌęThey also organise fun outings, swimming lessons, have a book and audio library and Myles attended speech therapist sessions at the group.

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Down’s Syndrome affects one in every 1,000 babies born in the UK, but for twins like Myles and Malcolm, it's one in 15 million. Instead of focusing on the twins' differences, Marina and Mike feel immensely proud what both of them have achieved.

Amelia is now volunteering for Winston's Wish as a Young Ambassador. “Winston’s Wish has been a lifeline during the most difficult period of my life and has helped me cope and look to the future with confidence," said Amelia. "All the staff and volunteers that I have met at various events have been amazing and have inspired me to support Winston’s Wish by volunteering myself as a Young Ambassador.”

AnotherÌęproject in Gloucestershire that's receiving a grant is Gloucestershire Young Carers Project, which has been awarded a three year grant of ÂŁ99,532. This will provide a programme of support groups and short breaks for young carers to help them to meet others in similar positions and have time to just be themselves.

Congratulations to the successful projects in Gloucestershire - and a huge thank you to everyone who donated money or organised a fundraising event in 2012. We literally couldn't do it without you.

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Over 1,000 children from 8 Melksham Primary Schools created their own lip-synched video to Katy Perry’s “Firework” and then set up a JustGiving page for parents to make donations to ±«Óătv Children in Need. Congratulations everyone!

The team at Webbers Property Services have raised money for ±«Óătv Children in Need for many years now, but this time they decided to do something a bit different – they made cake replicas of houses and then auctioned them off to their colleagues and customers! Here’s manager Noel Sexton with his cake construction, which went for a whopping ÂŁ115. Thanks to Noel and all of his colleagues for raising the grand total of over ÂŁ2,000!

Staff at Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries managed to raise money and break a world record at the same time! They held a 24-hour cycle relay in the ferry terminal, with team-members taking it in turns to do stints and collect donations from passengers. However, the star of the show was regular ±«Óătv Children in Need fundraiser Gus McKechnie. Gus suffers from a condition called congenital hemiparesis (a form of cerebral palsy) and has lost several family members to the illness. Gus broke the World Record for a 24 hour row on a rowing machine in the LTA (using leg, trunk and arms) disability category, rowing a total distance of 159,000 metres. A stunning achievement, Gus!

And here’s a selection of some of the other fantastic fundraising efforts from the South West:

- 20 staff from Boots in Exeter got sponsored to abseil down the front of their building

- 300 students from The Roseland Community College in Truro recorded a charity single to raise money

- The Phoenix Trampoline Club in Plymouth held a to raise money

- Residents at the George Downing House sheltered housing scheme in Plymouth raised over ÂŁ100 by holding a coffee morning

- Staff and students at Cornwall College went custard crazy, throwing custard-soaked sponges at volunteers in the stocks and even trying to walk on custard

Hopefully some of these stories might inspire you to come up with some even wackier and wilder fundraising activities for ±«Óătv Children in Need in 2013!

BIRMINGHAM

6pm - 10pm, ±«Óătv Mailbox, Birmingham

Entertainment will include music and dance in the ±«Óătv Public Space, and an entertainer and brass band outside.

CAMBRIDGE

6.30pm onwards, West Road Concert Hall (Cambridge University Concert Hall), 11 West Road, Cambridge

Choir concert at Cambridge University Concert Hall. Tickets:

EXETER

6pm - 10pm, The University Forum, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter

Lots of Pudsey fun on the night with stilt walkers, circus acts, live music, mountain bike stunt displays, interactive fun science activities and lots more. Come along in fundraising costumes, fancy dress or wearing bright spots. Will be broadcasting live from the University into the Spotlight programme at 1830, in the run up to the big event where the scene will be set for the Children in Need television broadcasts throughout the evening to 10pm. Tickets:

LEICESTERSHIRE

6.30pm - 9pm, Conkers Discovery Centre in the National Forest, Rawdon Road (B586), Moira, Nr Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Derbyshire

Activities include face-painting, crafts and music and children can explore the Conkers Enchanted Forest adventure play area. The Olive Tree restaurant will be also be open. ±«Óătv East Midlands Today presenter Anne Davies will be hosting the event and broadcasting live from Conkers throughout the evening from 6.30pm

LEWES, EAST SUSSEX

6.20pm - 10pm, Glyndebourne, New Road, Ringmer, Lewes, East Sussex

The ±«Óătv and Glyndebourne will host a special evening of fun and music at the world famous opera house. A choir of over two hundred children from across the South East will come together for the first time to perform. The event will be hosted by Danny Pike from ±«Óătv Sussex and broadcast live from 6.30pm on ±«Óătv One in the South East, presented by Julia George. There is no dress code for the event but please wrap up warm.Ìę Tickets:

LONDON

6pmÌę- 10pm, The Tower of London ice rink

Ice-skating outside the Tower of London, 1 hour session (from 6-7pm). Need to arrive 45minutes before ice skating session.Ìę ±«Óătv London will be broadcasting live from the side of the ice-rink where they’ll be meeting and saying thank you to London fundraisers. Tickets:

NORTHUMBERLAND

6.30pm - 10pm, Alnwick Gardens (at Alnwick Castle), Denwick Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1YU

A spectacular After-Dark Party with entertainment such as a Zip Wire, balloon artists, Punch and Judy shows, circus workshops, a magician, face painters, stilt walkers and musical accompaniment. Tickets:

PRESTON

6pm - 10pm, Museum of Lancashire, Stanley Street, Preston PR1 4YP (01772 534075)

The North West OB will have Hacker the dog playing judge to all the fundraisers. Fundraising heroes will speak about their achievements as young people getting involved. Entertainment also include a Bluegrass Band bringing banjos, a bath of slime, face painters. Please contact the Museum to check if tickets are required.

ROTHERHAM

6pm - 9.30pm, Magna Science Adventure Centre, Sheffield Road, Rotherham, S60 1DX

The attractions at the Magna Science Adventure Centre will be open for people to look around. There will also be a choir and live TV broadcasts.

SCUNTHORPE

7pm, Baths Hall, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, South Humberside DN15 7RG

ConcertÌęhosted by Peter Levy and Paul Hudson and parts of it will be broadcast live on Look North. Choirs taking part include; Hot Gospel, Voice Call, Shower Singers, Harmony Lincs, Ling Moor Primary School Choir, St Mary's College Hull and the Scunthorpe Co-operative Junior Choir. Tickets cost ÂŁ10 -

SWINDON

6pm - 10pm, STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon SN2 2EH

±«Óătv Wiltshire’s Lee Stone will broadcast his drivetime programme live from the STEAM museum. ±«Óătv Wiltshire’s Ben Prater will be joined by Mark Millar from ±«Óătv One’s DIY SOS to host an area of entertainment within the museum. Come along in fancy dress!Ìę Tickets:

WINCHESTER

6.30pm - 9.30pm, InTech Hands-On Science Centre, Telegraph Way, Morn Hill, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HZ

Broadcasting liveÌęduring the 6.30pm evening news,Ìęchoir and other exhibits and activities. Refreshments available to purchase.