Our wonderful team of community champions across the country are supporting BBC Children in Need – like Stephen Bromby from our Boston store who's taking Pudsey Bear on a tour of 15 schools this week.
Stephen wanted to give as many children as possible a chance to meet Pudsey to inspire them and their families to support the appeal, so visited the schools over a six day period – before finishing the week with a fundraising event in the store to give even more children the opportunity to meet Pudsey.
He said: "The children absolutely loved it – the younger ones in particular. Bringing Pudsey in to meet the children in person creates an awareness about the charity and what they do.
"Who knows, it might even inspire the children or their parents to go out and take part in a sponsored event for charity – one of the children could grow up to be a great charity fundraiser."
Our community champions have been organising Pudsey parties and fundraising activities in stores and in their local areas, as well as supporting the Power of Play initiative which will help the charity fund projects that will enable 30,000 disadvantaged children across the UK to develop life skills through play. Find out more here.
Stephen said: "The children couldn't believe that a superstar from the TV had come into their classroom to see them!
"You could hear the big intake of breath when they saw Pudsey. He got hugs, kisses, high fives and fist bumps – it was fantastic!
"The schools have been getting involved in various activities to raise money like non-uniform days, baking cakes and voting for which teacher gets a custard pie in the face during assembly!"
Stephen and Pudsey also found time to join in a ten pin bowling night organised by BIDLincs – a local charity working with children with hearing, visual or dual sensory loss.
Here are the 15 schools Stephen and Pudsey are visiting: Wrangle Primary School, Boston Pioneers Academy, St Thomas' Children's Centre, Park Academy, Hawthorn Tree Primary School (pictured above), Gipsey Bridge Academy, Bridge House Independent School, Wyberton Primary School, Butterwick Pinchbeck's Endowed C of E Primary School, St Thomas' CE Primary School, Boston West Academy, Staniland Academy, Carlton Road Academy, St Nicholas Primary School and The John Fielding Community Special School.
