It’s that time of year again.

The clocks have gone back and the nights are drawing in, meaning only one thing: it’s almost time for one of the UK’s biggest fundraisers of the year – BBC Children in Need.

BBC Children in Need

I’m probably not alone when I say the annual telethon to raise money for disadvantaged children and their families has resonated with me more since I became a mum myself. Since Children in Need started in 1980 – the year I was born – it has raised more than £950 million and the fundraising push continues.

This year’s campaign, culminating in a live BBC telethon on Friday November 16, is asking the nation to channel their passions, hobbies and dreams under the strapline ‘Do Your Thing’ to help raise as much money as possible for children less fortunate than our own.

So, how can we help? We’re all busy, and with young families many of us are cash-strapped too, but the truth is anything we can spare will help this year’s fundraising effort, and you don’t even need to leave the sofa to do it.

5 easy ways to raise money for BBC Children in Need

1. Buy a Children in Need hat. The Pudsey Countryfile Ramble bobble hat has been created in conjunction with outdoor specialists Blacks and the BBC Countryfile programme in support of the BBC Countryfile Ramble, a nationwide event encouraging everyone to put their #HatsOn and clock up some miles in aid of Children in Need. The hat costs £7 and 50% from the sale of each hat will be donated to BBC Children in Need.

BBC Children in Need

The hat comes in Pudsey’s signature yellow and is super warm and stretchy – folding over around the rim to keep your ears nice and warm – with a Pudsey bear Countryfile label at the side.

As you can see it’s just the job for autumn and winter rambles!

BBC Children in Need

2. Organise a BBC Countryfile Ramble. The target this year, the fourth time the ramble has been held, is to collectively clock up 18,505 miles around the country. All you need to do is create a fundraising page via the BBC Children in Need website, pledge how far you plan to walk with friends, family or your community, then do it. (If you’re in need of appropriate garb Blacks has a fab range of men’s waterproof jackets and women’s winter jackets as well as men’s walking boots and women’s walking boots. We’ve been sent some to try out – watch this space for our review). And don’t forget your bobble hat!

BBC Children in Need

3. Take part in a Blacks sponsored ramble. They’re happening all over the country – check with your local store to find out when they’ll be rambling near you, or you can find a ramble on the Children in Need website here.

BBC Children in Need

4. Send a text message. You can donate to Children in Need by texting a keyword to one of the donation numbers. Texting DONATE to 70405 gives £5 to the Children in Need appeal, or you can donate to specific causes like the Countryfile Ramble – for the full list of numbers click here. In 2017 more than £13m was raised via text – and every penny counts!

BBC Children in Need

5. Share your images on social media using the hashtags #HatsOn and #BBCCiN, tagging @blacks_online too. Sharing pictures of your fundraising efforts helps raise awareness about the campaign and will encourage others to get involved too – easy peasy!

Are you organising or taking part in any fundraising events for BBC Children in Need this year? Would your little ones enjoy taking part in a ramble and will you be buying a Children in Need hat?

This post was written in collaboration with Blacks in support of BBC Children in Need. We were gifted a Children in Need hat to help bang the drum about the campaign. All thoughts and opinions are my own and based on my own honest experience.

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