Be Like Bassetts Vitamins & Help Bring Joy to Children With BBC Children In Need.

I can't believe Pudsey Bear is nearly 30 years old! Yep -since 1980, BBC Children In Need, fronted by the iconic yellow bear with his spotty eye patch, has raised over 1 billion to change the lives of children and young people in the UK alone.


brown paper bag with Pudsey Bear face on

I recently went along to the Good Hotel in London for lunch (gifted) to hear about some of  the charity's work and their latest partnership with the lovely people at Bassetts Vitamins who have made a donation of £100,000 to the charity this year because they believe that all families deserve special moments.

cupcakes with toppers featuring Bassetts Vitamins jelly character with Pudsey Bear ears on

As a mum of 7 on a tight budget I can tell you that while  money doesn't buy happiness it can often help. And that's where charities like Children In Need come in helping to fund projects which as well as providing basic needs can also bring joy and wonder too. And isn't that a vital part of childhood?

madmumofof7 and son with Pudsey Bear mascot

Take the Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford, London where children and their families can play learn and create stories together. They have a beautiful initiative called Story Sandwich whereby they invite families with children aged 0-5 who are living in temporary accommodation, facing homelessness or transience into the centre to enjoy the hands-on experience and lunch. They even offer them free books.

Discover also runs the Mighty Mega Special Needs Club with funding from BBC Children in Need. Meeting weekly children aged from 5-14 who have disabilities and/or special education needs come along with their families for some much needed fun.

In 2017 I wrote about the New Horizon Youth Centre in London, another charity supported by BBC Children In Need, and was so moved by the amazing work they do there I am still telling people about it.

As a parent I gripe about endless cake sales and sponsored whatevers but when you actually realise what that charity money goes to it makes my moaning about making another costume for dress up day seem really churlish.

So next time you are digging in the back of the drawers for whatever colour T-shirt they need to wear on a charity day remember that however tough your own life is, there is always someone who has it tougher.

Please donate this year to BBC Children in Need and bring a little more joy into the lives of children in the UK and across the globe. You could pick up a set of Pudsey ears which my son is modelling here below or anything from a whole host of lovely products from bears to bobble hats from the Pudsey Bear Shop.

autistic boy wearing Pudsey Bear Ears

Disclaimer: I attended a lunch event at The Good Hotel in London  for the purpose of gathering information to help in writing this  post. Views and opinions remain honest and my own.