Children in need- Do you support it?? (Children In Need)

Member Name: mummy2twogirls

Product:	Children In Need
Date:	14/11/08 (59 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Helping good causes

Disadvantages: Sometimes feeling forced to donate

Well 'children in need' night looms upon once again, so i wonder what frolics celebrities will get up to tonight, to try and make the nation pledge as much money as they can for various children's charities??

Children in need has been existent since way back in 1927, when at first it was a 5 minute radio slot on christmas day. It wasn't until 1955 when it first became televised and known as the Children's Hour Christmas Appeal', presented by Sooty and Harry Corbett. The radio appeal was still being held right up until 1980. When then it became a telethon on the BBC, hosted by Terry wogan, Sue Lawley and Esther Rantzen. It captured the public's imagination to such an extent that the donations increased dramatically and broke the million mark for the very first time.

Now when we hear of 'children in need' we instantly think of 'pudsey bear' who was first introduced to us in 1985, as a brown cuddly mascot for the show, since then he has changed his colour from brown to yellow, as the creater's thought a more striking colour would make him stand out more.

Each year we see Pudsey in a different entire, in the past we have seen him party hats, eye patch's, all of different colors and styles, which are normally designed by children from across the nation. This year i think he going to be sporting a rather fetching white eye patch with multi-colored polka-dots.

Children in need night, is normally about the whole nation coming together to raise funds, for children who are sick, disabled, have been abused. We also raise money for the good causes that help along these children.

People all across the nation, help to raise money by doing all sorts of things like, sponsored silence, fancy dress days at work, walks, or runs, raffles, anything they think that will raise some cash towards helping children in need.

The BBC itself have a wide range of 'Pudsey' products that they sell, online and in certain shops, these include, hats, t-shirts, mugs, calenders, badges and much more, and all the profits go to the charity.

In the past a lot of celebrities have joined in the cause to try to help, they appear on the show, sing, etc. But to be honest i don't think I've heard of many that actually do put their hands in their pocket and donate???

In 2007 ( last year) they raised over £37 million which is a pretty big amount, although it got me thinking whether or not this year, with our current crisis, will people be able to donate like they did last year, and will they reach the total from last year or exceed it. Or will it not be as good, as many people simply cannot afford to donate this year.

Everybody of course has mixed views on children in need, and in fact every other charity, are we as a nation being forced to donate something that we don't believe in, or are you happy to dig deep and support the cause, just think if even half of the population of the UK gave just £1.00, it would help the causes tremendously and we could make a difference to many children's lifes.

I will be watching tonight as i always do, but at present i feel i cannot donate, as in my eyes my family's needs come first, so may think thats harsh, but it's the individual's decision

Summary: Will you make a pledge???