CHILDREN from across south Essex have dressed up and hosted events in order to raise money for Children in Need.

School pupils from Basildon, Wickford and Southend had charity non-uniform days where they dressed in their most spotty clothes in support of the annual fundraising initiative which helps children from across the country who are battling serious illnesses or living in poverty.

Northlands Primary School, in Winifred Road, Basildon, raised just under £300 for the cause.

Pupils were welcome to donate any amount to the cause if they wanted to come into school in non-uniform.

Castledon Primary School in Beauchamps Drive, Wickford, also held a collection in support of Children in Need.

Southend’s Porters Grange School, in Lancaster Gardens, raised money for the charity with a cake sale and the children were also invited to wear spots in support of Pudsey the Bear.

The school raised just under £300 in total.

Chris McClay, the headteacher at the school, said: “It was an excellent day, it was the second year that we have done the bake sale and we were overwhelmed with the amount of parents and carers that came this year.

“It was around three or four times the amount compared to last year.

“The older children baked cakes and biscuits and the younger ones brought in biscuits and decorated them themselves.

“We almost sold out completely so we may have to start making this a more regular thing.”

A young Canvey boy also played host to a special event in support of Children in Need.

Nine-year-old, Harry Beardsell and his Mum, Nicola Watts, held a charity pyjama football match at Canvey Football Club.

The Canvey Team Pudsey under tens took on the Mornington Boys under tens in a match at the ground in Park Lane.

All the money raised by the groups and schools will be donated to the BBC’s charity cause to help people across the country who are less fortunate.