BBC Children in Need raises ?26.3 mn

MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has announced that its charity initiative BBC Children in Need has raised ?26.3 million the highest on-the-night total ever.

Celebrating its 32nd Appeal, the show marked the crescendo of this year?s activities through family entertainment in order to help raise money for disadvantaged children and young people right here in the UK.

At the helm was Sir Terry Wogan who was joined by TV stars Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton and Alesha Dixon to present the seven-hour entertainment marathon live from London?s BBC Television Centre.

The stage came to life with top musical stars including One Direction, The Saturdays, Westlife, Steps, Olly Murs with Rizzle Kicks, Will Young, Matt Cardle, Ed Sheeran and The Collective.

The extravaganza also featured the small screen and the West End who came together to show their spots to help raise money. The cats ?EastEnders? did Queen, Hollyoaks belted out ?Forget You? and the BBC Newsreaders did ?Strictly?.

Radio 2?s fundraising this year was once again led by Sir Terry Wogan and Chris Evans. And tonight they announced that their fundraising contributed a phenomenal ?2,032,642 to the 2011 Appeal.

Matt Baker?s phenomenal Rickshaw Challenge also helped drive the total even higher with an amazing ?1,263,272 raised.

BBC Children in Need David Ramsden said, "It is amazing that people across the UK have come together to raise the highest ever Appeal Night Total. Thank you so much for helping to change thousands of young lives across the UK."