A big thank you to all the generous customers and colleagues who’ve been supporting BBC Children in Need this month.

Community champions at our stores across the country have hosted teddy bears’ picnics and organised instore games and activities to raise money and awareness for the charity appeal.

Money raised at Asda supports BBC Children in Need’s Power of Play campaign, funding projects that will support thousands of disadvantaged children across the UK to develop vital life skills through play. Playing is an essential part of childhood development. But research shows that there aren’t enough accessible, safe, play opportunities across the UK and that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are the most likely to miss out.

Ahead of National Playday on August 1st Sarah John from our Killingbeck store visited Leeds Mencap to see the difference your donations make.

Sarah said: “It was lovely joining in with their playgroup. I heard some amazing stories of how resilient the children and their families are – whether it’s a little boy who had heart operations as a baby or just seeing how much parents have to cope with and think about to care for their children – and it’s these stories that really help you understand just how important BBC Children in Need is."

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Cath Lee, chief executive at Leeds Mencap, said: "BBC Children in Need funded the specialist playroom for children with learning disabilities - the Hawthorn specialist playroom.

"The money funds the play workers and makes a tangible difference to the children - without the funding the workers can't be there to work intensively with the children to help them develop.

"We've been around for 65 years and we've always supported children with learning disabilities and their families. The BBC Children in Need funding, supported by Asda, runs for three years. This has taken the pressure off us and allowed us to focus on the core of our work helping children realise their full potential, and support the family too.

"We're also looking at how we can develop this project further. At the moment the playroom is only open three days a week, and we meet the needs of 27 families with each child coming in once a week, and we'd love to help more people.

"Now our day to day costs are covered, we can focus on freeing our fundraisers up to concentrate on getting additional funding to help more children.

"The money raised is phenomenal and it's great to have Asda's help.”

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In 2016 colleagues at our Killingbeck store helped Leeds Mencap apply for and receive an £18,000 Asda Foundation grant to improve their kitchen – and Sarah’s now looking into securing further support for a planned new outdoor play area.

She said: "It was really good to meet all the team at Leeds Mencap again, chat to them and see for myself how the money has been spent. They're a fantastic group and it’s so good to see that with their hard work and the support of Children in Need these youngsters can have the same experiences with play as any other child.”

Our community champions have been hosting teddy bears' picnics to support BBC Children in Need throughout the last few weeks. Read more here – and take a look at a selection of their photos here:

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  Our Toryglen store's community champion Elizabeth Arbuckle supporting BBC Children in Need with Orchard Grove Kindergarten.

  Our Toryglen store's community champion Elizabeth Arbuckle supporting BBC Children in Need with Orchard Grove Kindergarten.
• Pudsey bear called in at Asda Llandudno

  Pudsey bear called in at Asda Llandudno
• Our South Woodham Ferrers store's community champion Lisa Kelly invited local childminders and their children for a real fun day with races, bubbles, stories and a visit from Pudsey

  Our South Woodham Ferrers store's community champion Lisa Kelly invited local childminders and their children for a real fun day with races, bubbles, stories and a visit from Pudsey
• Jo Thexton from our Bridgwater store had a lovely sunny day at Rainbow Pre-School, with Pudsey-themed games and songs followed by a teddy bears' picnic and surprise visit from Pudsey himself!

  Jo Thexton from our Bridgwater store had a lovely sunny day at Rainbow Pre-School, with Pudsey-themed games and songs followed by a teddy bears' picnic and surprise visit from Pudsey himself!
• Pudsey joined our Wheatley store's community champion Angie Young at The Maple Tree children's centre

  Pudsey joined our Wheatley store's community champion Angie Young at The Maple Tree children's centre
• Over 70 came along for a picnic and sports day at Canolfan Pentre that our Tonypandy store's community champion Karen Thomas helped organise. Adults and children joined in with the races and had brilliant fun. Special thanks to Jayden for his help!

  Over 70 came along for a picnic and sports day at Canolfan Pentre that our Tonypandy store's community champion Karen Thomas helped organise. Adults and children joined in with the races and had brilliant fun. Special thanks to Jayden for his help!
• Thanks to everyone who supported our fundraising tombola at Asda Broadstairs

  Thanks to everyone who supported our fundraising tombola at Asda Broadstairs
• Pudsey made a special appearance alongside Julie from our Sinfin store in Derby at a teddy bears' picnic at Chaddasden Park

  Pudsey made a special appearance alongside Julie from our Sinfin store in Derby at a teddy bears' picnic at Chaddasden Park
• Thanks to everyone at our Swindon Haydon store who supported our instore fundraising efforts

  Thanks to everyone at our Swindon Haydon store who supported our instore fundraising efforts
• Work experience student Kaylum helped our Hayle Harbour store's community champion Jenna Fentham with fundrasing activities

  Work experience student Kaylum helped our Hayle Harbour store's community champion Jenna Fentham with fundrasing activities
• Pudsey called in to see June Thurston at our Hereford store

  Pudsey called in to see June Thurston at our Hereford store
• Our Pwllheli store's community champion Jo Scott arranged three picnics in three days. Here she is with Cylch Meithrin Nefyn

  Our Pwllheli store's community champion Jo Scott arranged three picnics in three days. Here she is with Cylch Meithrin Nefyn
• Jo's second picnic was with Cylch Meithrin Y Ffor

  Jo's second picnic was with Cylch Meithrin Y Ffor
• For her third Pudsey's teddy bears' picnic Jo from Asda Pwllheli visited Cylch Meithrin Llanbedrog

  For her third Pudsey's teddy bears' picnic Jo from Asda Pwllheli visited Cylch Meithrin Llanbedrog
• Jacqui Bentham from Asda Waterlooville with children at the Cowplain Growing Places pre school

  Jacqui Bentham from Asda Waterlooville with children at the Cowplain Growing Places pre school
• Pudsey joined our South Ruislip store's community champion Laura Skov at Ruislip Stars Nurseries

  Pudsey joined our South Ruislip store's community champion Laura Skov at Ruislip Stars Nurseries