BBC raises 113 million pounds for charity

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Pudsey leads the way with record breaking £21 million for Children in Need.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) raised £113 million for charity last year through its programmes on television and radio.

A significant proportion of that was raised through one of the BBC’s main charity efforts – Children in Need.

Last year, Children in Need saw performances from Girls Aloud, Take That, Strictly Come Dancing and Dr Who, not to mention a special charity single by radio presenter Terry Wogan and singer Aled Jones.

Children in Need raised an astonishing £21 million for 2008, and are still taking donations now.

Thanks to the One Show, Children in Need benefited from 65 tonnes of pennies which raised £294,903.

Other charitable appeals were made by the BBC through the Performing Arts Fund, Radio 4 Appeals, local radio fundraisers and the BBC Wildlife Find.

The BBC’s director general, Mark Thompson told charitytimes.com: “These figures are enormously impressive, and a testament to the unique relationship between the BBC and its audiences”. Mr Thompson praised the great work of the charities involved with the BBC.

The £113 million will make a real difference for child, environmental and health charities across the UK and undoubtedly change lives. Mr Thompson said that: “This is an achievement of which everyone – the BBC; the charities; and all who contributed – can be justly proud.”

The achievement is no small feat especially considering the impact of the credit crunch on the amount of expendable cash the average UK consumer has to spend on charity. The BBC hope to eclipse the 2008 total this year with an even more impressive total for 2009.