Region digs deep for Children in Need

Nov 21 2009 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

FROM North Sea dips to life-sized chocolates, generous fundraisers across the region gave it their all for charity yesterday.

This year’s Children in Need extravaganza saw people from all walks of life dig deep for those less fortunate.

Northumbria Police battled it out against Your Homes Newcastle in a charity match held at Northumbria University’s Coach Lane campus. Chief Superintendent Graham Smith captained one team and Your Homes Newcastle chief executive John Lee headed the other.

In County Durham, youngsters raised thousands when the main caterer for the eat 4 free! scheme, Taylor Shaw, which offers free school lunches for all primary school children in the county, pledged to donate 10p to Children In Need for every meal eaten.

Peter Taylor, managing director of Taylor Shaw, said: “Children in Need is a great charity and, because young people can relate to the work it does, they are keen to help with the fundraising.”

In South Tyneside, more than 200 students and staff from the Health and Care and Early Years department of South Tyneside College held a sponsored fancy dress walk from the Hebburn campus to South Shields.