Thank you to everyone for supporting this year's BBC Children in Need appeal

Thank you to all our generous customers and colleagues who've been supporting this year's BBC Children in Need appeal.

The money – raised by through customer and colleague donations and by sales of George at Asda items – will fund thousands of charities and projects in every corner of the UK that support children and young people to feel and be safer, have improved mental health and wellbeing, form better, more positive relationships and be given more equal opportunities to flourish.

Here are just some of the ways colleagues from our stores across the country have been supporting this year's appeal:

Community champions and store managers from our Central Scotland region raised more than £3,000 for BBC Children in Need by taking part in a sponsored sea dip at Troon beach in Ayrshire, pictured above.

Ann Binks, our Coatbridge store's community champion who took part wearing an inflatable unicorn rubber ring, said: "The weather wasn’t the best ... but it is November and it is Scotland. We all had fun though and a laugh while raising money for such a good cause. And Hazel from our Stenhousemuir store aded: "Thanks to all the generous colleagues, friends and family who sponsored us."

Our Llangefni store’s community champion Sam Broadley has been getting behind this year’s BBC Children in Need appeal by taking Pudsey on a tour of every primary school on Anglesey, pictured below.

It's the fourth time Sam's taken Pudsey on her epic island tour – and she said the reaction of the children made the effort so worthwhile. Sam, who's been joined by her colleague Liza Westervoorde, said: "It's a lot of fun and the kids are loving seeing Pudsey. The huge they're giving are just immense and the excitement from the little ones is wonderful to see."

At our Gosforth store, community champion Michelle Castledine has been accompanying Pudsey Bear on visits to various schools and charities in the local area, pictured above. She said: "It was amazing to see where the money raised for Children in Need is making a difference right on our doorstep."

Community champion Daniel Roberts from our Stafford store accompanied Pudsey Bear when he visited Stafford Stroke Club, pictured above. Daniel said: "It's our favourite time of the year."

Meanwhile, Emma Riley, community champion at our St Austell store, shared this post, above, about colleagues dressing up and supporting Children in Need.

And Parv Basi, community champion at our Great Bridge store, shared this photo above, of colleagues getting into the Children in Need fundraising spirit.

Lyndon Thomas, community champion at our Llanelli Murray Street store, accompanied Pudsey Bear as he visited Ty Golau dementia group who were dressing up in wartime attire, above.

And community champion Helen-Louise Sestan-Burton from our Bromborough store has been out and about in the community with Pudsey Bear, pictured above.

Community champion Jo Scott and colleagues from our Pwllheli store have been putting smiles on customers' faces by dressing up and fundraising for BBC Children in Need. Jo said: "Everybody loves Pudsey Bear!"

Community champions Sam Will from our Dundee Kirkton store, Karen Cunningham from Dundee West and Shiona Mitchell from Forfar helped out at a Walk With Joe Wicks event in Camperdown Park, Dundee, which was raising funds for BBC Children in Need, above.

Colleagues and customers at our Hinckley store have been supporting community champion Jo Howe, above, in various fundraising events and at our Isle of Wight store, below, colleagues, including community champion Clare Jones, have been learning sign language so they can spell out 'Pudsey'!