BBC Children in Need announces overall fundraising total for the charity’s 2020 Appeal: £57 million

The fundraising total is the culmination of the efforts of fundraisers and donors across the UK who supported the charity’s annual Appeal in November 2020. 

Thanks to donations from the UK public, during the pandemic BBC Children in Need has awarded 2,700 grants at a value of £73m to local charities and projects supporting children and young people facing disadvantage across the UK.

In a year that has left lasting effects on the lives of children and young people facing disadvantage across the UK, the charity said that the incredible total would not have been possible without the public once again coming together to help raise money at a time when it was needed most.

BBC Children in Need exists to ensure that every child or young person has the opportunity to thrive and be the best they can be, and aims to achieve this by helping them to overcome any challenges they may be facing. Thanks to the generosity of the British public, during the pandemic BBC Children in Need has awarded 2,700 grants to a value of £73m to support local charities and projects addressing a range of issues affecting children and young people.

This includes £35.1m in funding to address the impact of sustained isolation on emotional wellbeing and mental health, £18.7m in grants to support those facing increased financial uncertainty, £1.9m in awards to help bereaved children and young people come to terms with their loss, £11.8m in grants to support disabled children and young people and £9.8m in funding to help keep children and young people safe from harm.

In addition, since the beginning of the pandemic, BBC Children in Need has dedicated over £3m of funding specifically to address digital exclusion, supplying devices such as laptops or tablets to families who would not otherwise be able to afford or access these items, and supporting them to get online through broadband or data allowances.

The 2020 November Appeal total grew to £57million as donations and fundraising income continued to pour in following BBC Children in Need’s 2020 Appeal show last November, which culminated with an on-the-night total of £37m.

Highlights from the 2020 Appeal include Joe Wicks MBE’s epic 24-hour, non-stop PE challenge with BBC Radio 2, which raised a spectacular £2.5m, contributing to BBC Radio 2’s overall total of £2.8m; Countryfile’s 2020 calendar and Ramble special, which raised an incredible £5.6m; DIY SOS Big Build Special, which raised a whopping £1.3m; and The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge, which raised a remarkable £6m.

Elsewhere, BBC TV and radio stations across the Nations and Regions threw themselves into fundraising, whilst the charity’s corporate partners, including Asda, Boots UK, DFS, Greggs and HSBC UK, once again galvanised customers and staff to help make a difference to young lives. And of course, hundreds and thousands of fundraisers across the UK came together to support the charity in many different ways, including thousands of schools who got together to support children and young people facing disadvantage.

Speaking of the 2020 total, Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “Our supporters across the UK can be incredibly proud of this total, and the vital impact it’s making. After a year of immense challenge and uncertainty for children and young people facing disadvantage, this is a testament to the kindness and generosity of the Great British public that over the course of the pandemic we have delivered £73million to help children and young people navigate through the challenges of Covid-19, providing a lifeline when it was needed most.

“Our incredible supporters have shown once again that together we can change young lives, and that we will always be here for the children and young people across the UK that need us. Thank you.”

For more information please visit BBC Children in Need

Notes to Editors

BBC Children in Need’s 2019 Appeal raised £54m (£53,695,000). In addition, £27m (£26,558,000) was raised through The Big Night In Appeal in April 2020.

The 2020 total is unaudited and subject to change as BBC Children in Need finalises year end accounts.

The 2020 On-the-Night total was £37million (£37,033,000). This total grew to £57million (£57,119,000) as donations and fundraising income from across the UK was paid in subsequent months.