Sam arranges epic primary school tour with Pudsey for Children in Need
Our Llangefni store's community champion Sam Broadley is taking Pudsey Bear on an epic tour of all 42 primary schools on Anglesey for BBC Children in Need.
After last year's appeal was curtailed by the pandemic, Sam wanted to pull out all the stops to give children on the island a special treat, so undertook the logistical challenge of arranging the nine-day tour with the schools.
She says it's all been so worthwhile to see the fantastic looks on the little ones' faces when they meet Pudsey.
"The tour is going amazingly well – it's very tiring but super-rewarding," said Sam. "The children have been screaming with excitement and some have been so overwhelmed that they've cried. It's been a really emotional experience."
Sam, who's been joined on the tour by her colleague Liza Westervoorde, says they've taken every precaution to keep everyone safe. They're both double-jabbed and are performing lateral flow tests every day.
Sam, pictured above with Pudsey, said: "We're trying to provide a small slice of normality for the children, as they all deserve it after everything they've all been through during the last couple of years.
"It's a really nice treat for us to experience, as the reaction at every school has been incredible to see and makes all the driving worthwhile.
"The teachers are really happy to see how much the children are enjoying Pudsey's visit. When you see the big smiles on the children's faces it's so sweet."
Liza says she's enjoyed the tour every bit as much as the schoolchildren.
She said: "I've absolutely loved it – it's an incredible experience and really heartwarming to see how much it means to the children.
"You can see that it's making a difference to their day and I can imagine the children telling their parents that they high-fived Pudsey or gave him a hug – and that it's a memory that will stay with them."
Here are the schools that Pudsey's visited so far:
Day one: Ysgol Llanfairpwll, Ysgol y Borth, Ysgol Llandegfan, Ysgol Beaumaris and Ysgol Llangoed.
Day two: Ysgol Cybi, Ysgol Santes Fair, Ysgol Llanfawr, Ysgol Kingsland and Ysgol Morswyn.
Day three: Ysgol Corn Hir, Ysgol Bodffordd, Ysgol Esceifiog and Ysgol Henblas.
Day four: Ysgol Bodedern, Ysgol Y Fali, Ysgol Rhoscolyn, Ysgol Y Tywyn and Ysgol Caergeiliog.
Day five: Ysgol Pencarnisog, Ysgol Rhosneigr, Ysgol Parc Y Bont, Ysgol Santes Dwynwen and Ysgol Brynsiencyn.
Day six: Ysgol Rhyd y Llan, Ysgol Llanfechell, Ysgol Cemaes, Ysgol Carreglefn and Ysgol Gynradd Amlwch.
Day seven: Ysgol Llanerchymedd, Ysgol Rhosybol, Ysgol Penysarn, Ysgol Bryngwran and Ysgol Y Ffridd.