The charity kicks off its 2016 fundraising campaign, calling on the people of Cardiff to ‘Do Your Thing’
Alex Jones has helped launch BBC Children in Need’s Do Your Thing fundraising campaign, encouraging people in Cardiff to channel their passions, hobbies or dreams to do their thing and help change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people all across the UK.
The television presenter is joined by a host of famous faces from British entertainment including Matt Baker, Anita Rani, Ore Oduba and Judy Murray – all of whom have come together to inspire the nation to get involved and fundraise for BBC Children in Need. From fancy dress to fun runs, facing a fear or taking on a once in a lifetime challenge, holding a bake sale or completing a sponsored silence, everyone can turn the thing they most fancy doing into an amazing fundraiser.
Alex is encouraging Cardiff to pull out their trainers and put on their sweatbands to get active for a Do Your Thing fundraiser. She said: “This year, I want to see the people of Cardiff get out there and Do Your Thing for BBC Children in Need! You can dust off your trainers and trampettes to do your fitness thing, or get your friends together and break the world record for the longest dance-a-thon. All you need is a little imagination and you can make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.”
Each year, money raised by the Appeal goes on to help children and young people in communities across Wales who are affected by a range of disadvantages including homelessness, neglect, deprivation, illness and bereavement. In Cardiff, BBC Children in Need currently funds 19 projects to the value of £1.1million. Safer Wales, based in Cardiff, receives BBC Children in Need funding to provide a specialist service to young women who are, or who are in danger of being, sexually exploited. The project helps to increase the young women’s safety, by encouraging them to build better relationships with trusted adults and engage more with training and employment options.
YMCA Cardiff currently receives BBC Children in Need funding to provide respite opportunities, offer support and help develop the life skills of young people with caring responsibilities. This project will help grow the young people’s confidence, self-esteem and skills set.
Jemma Wray, National Head of Wales for BBC Children in Need said: “We are always blown away by the incredible support we receive from the people of Wales and I hope this year is no different! From Rhyl to Newport, Wrexham to Carmarthen, come together and Do Your Thing for BBC Children in Need and help raise money for disadvantaged children and young people who need it most.”
Jonathan Rigby, Director of Marketing and Fundraising at BBC Children in Need said: “This year we’re calling on you to fundraise by doing your thing to help change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people all across the UK. By doing anything, whether that’s something you love or something you’ve always wanted to do, you can raise money and make a difference. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to do a skydive or a bungee jump, or maybe you’re great at telling jokes or playing sport, find your thing and turn it into an amazing idea to raise money for BBC Children in Need!”
The official fundraising pack is available now for download at bbc.co.uk/Pudsey and is filled with ideas to help the public with their fundraising efforts, plus lots of exclusive content from the Charity’s celebrity friends.
To date the Great British public has raised £848million for BBC Children in Need and the Charity is calling on people to once again pull out the stops and fundraise to give children and young people across the UK reach their fullest potential!
