Pudsey Bear joined our Patchway store’s community champion Caroline Canty on a visit to Wheatfield Primary School to support the Children in Need appeal.
Caroline and Pudsey visited each class, helping the children make Pudsey masks and joining in with the school’s activities to explain why it’s such an important cause.
Caroline said: "I was really pleased to go along with Pudsey and we all had the most wonderful time. It was the expressions on the children’s faces that made my day. As soon as we walked into the playground they all rushed over and were high-fiving Pudsey. It was so lovely to see.
"It’s nice to see that children realise that Children in Need is a charity that helps other children in a less fortunate position than them."
Caroline met headteacher Phil Winterburn and members of the school's parent teacher association a few months ago, and has helped them apply for a place in our in-store Green Token Giving customer vote as well as securing a donation towards a Christmas party.
She’s also looking to help the school as they seek £20,000 for an environmentally-friendly playground for key stage two pupils as part of the school’s 20th birthday celebrations.
Phil said: "We’ve been celebrating Children in Need as a school, with lots of the children wearing Pudsey ears and other Children in Need merchandise alongside their uniform. We’ve been talking about where the money goes and ensuring that while they enjoy the celebrations but also understand that there are children less fortunate than them.
"The response has been amazing and the children have really enjoyed it. Having Pudsey turn up has been a real highlight.
"We want our overall school curriculum to be based in reality so opportunities like this enable us to do something fun and memorable and also that the children understand.
"We made contact with Caroline within the last six months or so as we have been seeking opportunities to fundraise and get sponsorship. She’s been in to talk to us and offer her help. What’s often difficult for businesses is knowing who to connect with, so it’s great knowing she’s there to be our link."