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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Joe Sommerlad

Children in Need 2018: When is it, what's taking place and how can I donate?

Children in Need returned to televisions in 2018 for another night of treats and surprises – especially for fans of Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who, and Call the Midwife – while raising money for a very worthy cause.

Here are the eight highlights from this year's TV charity fundraiser, alongside a reminder that it's not too late to make a donation. You can find out details here

A record-breaking total

This year's final total at the end of the show racked up to an incredible £50,595,053, surpassing last year's total of £50,168,562 to become the largest amount ever raised by the TV special. 

The cast of Eastenders take on Disney


As part of the soap's usual contribution to the show, the cast of Eastenders this year teamed up with none other than Mickey Mouse, who's celebrating his 90th birthday this month. 

Their musical spectacular took on some of the most beloved classics from the Disney songbook: "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast, "Let it Go" from Frozen, "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast, "A Whole New World" from Aladdin, and "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin.

There was no solo from Danny Dyer, sadly. It would have been great if he had a crack at "Circle of Life". 

Boyzone compete in Strictly Come Dancing

Keith Duffy competes in the Children in Need Strictly Come Dancing Special 2018 (BBC/Guy Levy)

Boyzone's Keith Duffy, Michael Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch all strutted their stuff on the dance floor in the hopes of winning the Pudsey Glitter Trophy, as part of a very special edition of Strictly Come Dancing

Although all four members of the Irish boy band impressed the judges, it was Shane Lynch who walked away victorious. 

Doctor Who's Jodie Whittaker surprises one very special fan


Anna, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, was whisked away to the set of her favourite show, Doctor Who, courtesy of the new Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. She got her own Time Lord makeover before getting to meet the cast. 

She even had a heart-to-heart with Whittaker about the importance of having a female Doctor to look up to. "I think it's good to show the boys that we can do just as much as they can," Anna said. 

Viewers were also treated to an exclusive preview of this Sunday's new episode. 

A first look at the Call the Midwife Christmas special is revealed


Doctor Who wasn't the only look ahead that audiences were granted, with an exclusive clip also being shown for the Call the Midwife Christmas special, set to air on Christmas Day on BBC One. 

Eddie Redmayne and Zoë Kravitz pull a prank on The One Show


The stars of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald tricked presenter Alex Jones during their One Show interview. The pair secretly had a trio of children feed them all the answers, with some quirky results, including Redmayne challenging Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, to an arm wrestling match. 

Jamie Cullum performs the Children in Need single 


The night was awash with musical performances, with Jamie Cullum responsible for this year's official Children in Need single, titled "Love is in the Picture". 

Other musical guests included Anne Marie, Sheridan Smith, Boyzone, Liam Payne, and a choir of 1,466 children – the last on that list performing the song "A Million Dreams" from the film The Greatest Showman.

And, of course, all the incredible stories 

They were a reminder of what Children in Need is all about: changing the lives of children all across the country for the better, and giving them childhoods as free from fear and isolation as possible. 

Amongst the many families profiled over the course of the night were Archie and Stanley. At two weeks old, Stanley became seriously ill. At eight years old, Archie was diagnosed with leukaemia. Their family has had to struggle with the daily reality of two severely ill children. Also highlighted was Sam, who is autistic with severe sensory issues, but whose life has been transformed by his therapy dog Willow. 

You can catch up with all the excitement as it happened below. Please allow a moment for the blog to load. 

Welcome to our coverage of Children in Need 2018! Here's everything you need to know about tonight's TV special

Everything you need to know about Children in Need 2018

The IndependentCharity fundraiser hopes to surpass £60.7m raised last year with theme encouraging people to use their hobbies to help the disadvantaged
Yesterday, BBC One aired Children in Need Rocks, featuring performances from Rod Stewart and Rita Ora. 
One of tonight's sketches is a special musical edition of Eastenders, with the cast coming together to perform several Disney hits from the likes of Frozen, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast.  
The show will also see us catch the very end of this year's Rickshaw Challenge 
Pudsey has been busy spreading joy across the UK  
Here's what to expect from tonight's show:
  • A young fan supported by the charity gets the chance to visit the set of Doctor Who for a surprise encounter with Jodie Whittaker.
  • Matt Baker and six intrepid youngsters will complete their gruelling eight-day “Rickshaw Challenge” ride from Calais when they cross the finish line in Salford.
  • The cast of EastEnders will lay on a musical number in Albert Square, the stars of West End hits School of Rock and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will perform live and the Children’s Choir will sing “A Million Dreams” from the popular movie The Greatest Showman.
A preview of the Strictly Come Dancing segment, starring members from Boyzone 
Welcome to Children in Need 2018! Featuring Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing, Eastenders, Junior Mastermind, and the One Show Rickshaw Challenge.
The show has opened with the cast of the West End's School of Rock, performing a medley of songs including "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen, "Happy" by Pharrell, and "Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift.
Tess Daly and Ade Adepitan are hosting the first section of the show, introducing a look back at Children in Need's 39-year history.

How can I donate?

You can call in and donate throughout the night by calling 0345 733 2233 or online at bbc.co.uk/pudsey via your credit and debit cards or PayPal account. Standard geographic charges from mobiles and landlines will apply.

You can also do so by text: to donate £10, text DONATE to 70410; to donate £20, text DONATE to 70420; or to donate £30, text DONATE to 70430.

All money earned through fundraising can be paid in at all major banks, building societies and via the Post Office. Just send a cheque or postal order to BBC Children in Need, PO Box 648, Salford, M5 0LB.

Our first treat: a visit to the set of Doctor Who for Anna, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, courtesy of the new Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. ​She gets her own Time Lord makeover before getting to meet the cast. 
 
"I think it's good to show the boys that we can do just as much as they can," says Anna. Right on! 
The current total: £2,550,916

Little Mix introduces us to Sam, who is autistic with severe sensory issues, and was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety at the age of six. Sam's life has been transformed by his support dog, Willow, who has helped give him a support system. 
 
It's the 90th anniversary of Mickey Mouse this year, with Disney teaming up with Eastenders for a musical spectacular. Up first, "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast, followed by "Let it Go" from Frozen, "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast, "A Whole New World" from Aladdin, and "Friend like Me" from Aladdin.
 Did Danny Dyer not want to do a number? "Bear Necessities" maybe?
The show's taken time to revisit some of the children featured on the show in the past. Two years ago, for example, Children in Need introduced us to Edward, who was diagnosed with cancer and had given himself the goal to walk again. Well, in 2018, Edward is not only walking again, but he's cancer free. Children in Need funded a play therapist named Anne to work with Edward.
The Children in Need choir, consisting of 1,466 children, have come together to perform "A Million Dreams" from this year's musical The Greatest Showman. 


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