Melksham gets involved for Children in Need

Somerset Care staff had a ‘Wacky hair day’ to raise funds

SCHOOLS and businesses across the town have shown their support for this year’s Children in Need fundraising event, by dressing in pyjamas, fancy dress with cake sales.

Money is still being donated for the BBC’s annual Children in Need appeal, but the current total raised on Friday 15th November is already over £31million – an on-the-night record for the event by almost £5million. In the town, pupils and staff at Melksham Oak Community School had a non-uniform day and held a cake sale. A combined amount of £1,413.51 was raised from the two events.

Somerset Care in Challeymead had a wacky hair day to mark Children in Need with staff claiming that no excuse is normally needed for such wackiness! Forest and Sandridge Primary School held a flash of colour day where children wore their brightest clothes on a non-uniform day. Year six pupil Evie Messenger enjoyed the day. She said, “It is nice to not have to wear the uniform for the day and it’s good to raise money to help children who need it.” Samuel Hansford who is in year three agreed. He said, “It is good to know that what we are doing helps to save other children’s lives. It’s pretty good not having to wear uniform, although I do like our uniform too.”

Sunflower Nursery held a pyjama day where children and staff joined in as well as a cake sale with around £40 expected to be raised. King’s Park School also held a pyjama day, as well as second hand toy and book sale. Snapdragon’s Nursery also held a pyjama day with staff joining in on the day. Manager Nicola Bailey said, “They children have absolutely loved it and there is some fantastic onesies.”

The Coventry Building Society also raised money as staff wore Children in Need T-shirts as well as hosting a cake sale, a name the bear competition and a guess the number of sweets in a jar competition. The Pilot in Bowerhill held a ‘gunge the staff’ event where customers could vote which member of staff should face the gunge tank. In a tie, owners Nick and Debbie received the most votes and faced the gunge tank in front of a watching pub. The Pilot raised £577 from the event.