West Norfolk schools raise thousands for this year’s Children in Need appeal

Children across seven West Norfolk schools raised thousands of pounds for good causes after taking part in this year’s Children in Need fundraising campaign on Friday.

​At Gaywood Primary School, children from Reception through to Year 6 were put through their paces when they participated in a Pudsey Fitness Challenge to raise money for the annual event.

“All children across the school, competed a fitness circuit during the day, and saw if they could improve their times,” explained Year 4 Class Teacher Bethan Williams, who organised the event along with Gaywood PE Lead Aaron Myhill.

Around 420 children completed fitness circuits that included skipping and burpees, as well as exercises using the school’s gym equipment.

“The children had up to one minute on each station to do as many reps as possible, added Miss Williams. “Last year we raised a record-breaking £2,400. We hope to have matched or exceeded that this year.”

Staff and children at Gaywood also sported non-uniform for the day.

Both West Lynn and Clenchwarton primary schools welcomed a very special visitor when they took part in this year’s Children in Need appeal.

The charity’s famous teddy bear mascot, Pudsey, spent time with every class at Clenchwarton where he joined the children who had been working to raise money for the cause.

And Pudsey Bear put in an appearance at West Lynn where children and staff were hoping to make over £200 for the annual appeal through a range of fundraising initiatives.

As well as meeting Pudsey, the youngsters at Clenchwarton enjoyed themed Children in Need activities throughout the day, and also swapped their school uniforms for colourful yellow or spotted outfits.

“It was a whole school event, with roughly 200 children and all staff partaking also,” said Ashleigh Webb, who is Year 6 Class Teacher at Clenchwarton. “There were opportunities for discussions around why Children in Need is so important, including a whole-school assembly and fun activities for individual classes to take part in.”

The school hopes to have raised over £150 for Children in Need 2024.

“Events like this are vital for our school and local community, because we feel it is important to raise awareness about children who need extra help in order to live fulfilling lives,” added Miss Webb.

“Childhood should be a fun, exciting time, and charities such as Children in Need ensure that children up and down the country have access to the right provisions needed in order to ensure safety, happiness and excitement.”

At West Lynn, staff and pupils sported spotty outfits for the day, which also included a special Children in Need assembly, along with classroom activities linked to the fundraising campaign as part of the school’s Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PHSE) provision.

“It is important that we raise awareness for children who are less fortunate,” said Dan Ryan, Assistant Headteacher at West Lynn. “The main messages from the day link closely to our PSHE curriculum in becoming global citizens, which supports the idea of seeing the world through other people’s perspectives, and understanding differences.”

Fundraising went with a swing at Marshland High School in West Walton when students took part in a sponsored golfing challenge.

The six Year 11 students potted over 100 golf balls in one hour, making over £35 for the charity, and they weren’t the only ones supporting the cause at the school.

“The Student Council members in Years 7 to 10 organised a Guess How Many Sweets in the Jar fundraiser,” said Claire Whitehouse, who is Assistant Headteacher at Marshland.

“Two of the Student Council took this round to forms throughout the week to get students’ guesses to raise money for Children in Need. The lucky winner received the jar of sweets on Friday.”

The students rounded off their fundraising activities on Friday with a bake sale, bringing this year’s total to an impressive £345.

“They organised donations of cakes for the day, and a team of five Year 10 students were helping to sell cakes on the day,” continued Mrs Whitehouse.

Children in Need has become a regular fixture in the Marshland calendar, with the school also raising over £300 last year.

“We always love to show our support and help Children in Need each year, as their mission to help ensure every child in the UK is safe, happy, secure, and has the opportunities they need to reach their potential is something we truly believe in at Marshland High School,” added Mrs Whitehouse. “It is an amazing charity, and we’re glad we can help out in some way.”

There were spots, sweets and even a treasure hunt when Walpole Cross Keys Primary School took part in this year’s Children in Need fundraising campaign.

Staff and pupils donned dotted outfits for the day, which featured a host of themed activities in aid of the annual charity appeal.

“We were raising money with a spotty-themed non-uniform day, and had different events throughout the day, such as Guess How Many Sweets in the Jar, and a spotty treasure hunt,’ said Billy Overton, Assistant Headteacher at the school.

“All of our 53 children took part. All staff were wearing spotty clothes, and staff ran different activities at lunchtime and break time. We’d be really pleased to have raised over £150, which would be a great effort for such a small school.”

“Children love raising money for any good cause, and this is no exception,” he added. “It raises awareness of important issues about the lives of children that may differ from most of the experiences children have. 

"It’s even more important when we realise that some of the children in our school may be affected by issues that Children in Need supports. It helps to show what a brilliant, caring and supportive community our school is part of.”

Other West Norfolk Academies Trust schools participating in the annual fundraiser included Heacham Juniors and Smithdon High School in Hunstanton.