CHILDREN in Need mascot Pudsey Bear visited the prep department at Malvern St James school to collect a donation from pupils and staff.

Year Four pupil Poppy Blandford presented Pudsey with a cheque for over £360, and more money is still coming in.

Fundraising activities around the school in Avenue Road included a treasure hunt and the sale of Pudsey-shaped biscuits.

The girls and many of the staff also came to school dressed as pirates, which added to the fun and excitement of the day.

Head Olivera Raraty said, “This year the whole school came together to raise money for Children in Need. We were thrilled to support such a fantastic charity and the pirate theme captured everyone’s imagination. Pudsey’s visit was the highlight of the week and I’m sure the girls will remember his visit for a long time to come.”

And at Malvern Wells Primary School, pupils in Year Four arranged a tea party for parents.

The pupils wrote to parents, inviting them to come along and bring cakes, and made bunting to decorate the school hall.

And the party, which included a cake sale and activities for the Year One pupils, was a great success, raising over £425 for Children In Need.

Nationally, the BBC appeal raised £46,624,259 - an impressive rise from last year’s total of £37.1 million.

Meanwhile, staff at Malvern Special Families wore Pudsey ears this week in a show of support for Children in Need.

Community fundraiser Cassie Zoro said: "We would like to say a big thank-you to Children in Need and all the people that donate to it. We could not reach out to as many children and young people in local areas like Malvern and Worcester, without the support of our grant from BBC Children in Need.”