The annual BBC fundraiser Children in Need is well-known for encouraging people across the UK to embrace fancy dress, but this year’s event saw balloonies getting in on the charitable act.
The charity, which has been running since 1980, raises money to change the lives of disabled children and young people in the UK. Centred around a telethon, the charity also encourages members of the public to run events right across the country, with schools and workplaces often embracing costume and dress-up in order to raise money.
Certified balloon artist Samuel Stamp-Dod Samuel of vipballoons.co.uk was commissioned for a balloon job for BBC Radio Suffolk’s fundraiser. “Lesley Dolphin presents the afternoon programme and had a tea party for her listeners,” explained Samuel. “We provided the balloon decor for the event. The bouquets were kept deliberately small so those attending could buy them to take home.”
Abbie Dicker (The Little Balloon Company) also got involved, creating a balloon rainbow which was spotted on prime time television later that evening. “This was for BBC Points West,” Abbie said. “They wanted a rainbow in front of Concorde for the live choir singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow for the programme. We’ve been organising it since October and I had three hours to do it in, so plenty of time for me. It was a fab venue!”
Even regional fundraisers got in on the action, with Mike Hurst of Party With Reds creating this pillar with custom Pudsey latex. “This was requested for a local event,” he said. “They wanted something in Pudsey colours so I surprised them with this bespoke design!”
The 2017 event, which took place on Friday 17 November, raised a record-breaking £50.1million during the show.
