Pudsey Bear

As I strolled through the high street on my way to Caffé Nero the other day I was confused by a giant yellow teddy bear roaming about. A sad teddy bear, might I add, that had a little bandage over one eye. I kept on thinking, what kind of sick twisted children's mascot is that?! But besides one small girl hugging his leg, no one else around seemed bothered or surprised by its presence.

I came to find out later that night that the bear, known as Pudsey Bear, is the well-known mascot for the Children in Need charity. Last night, in fact, BBC held its annual Children in Need telethon to raise money for organizations supporting children in the UK aged 18 and under who have mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioral or psychological disorders; are living in poverty or situations of deprivation; or suffering through distress, sex abuse or neglect.

Each year in November, BBC dedicates one entire night to the telethon. Last year the event raised 39 million pounds, while last night's telethon has raised a little over 18 million so far (though the final total is still not confirmed).

We have telethons in the USA still too, right?

♡- Kristen