So here we are in November. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of this month?

Clocks just gone back bringing shorter, colder days? Bonfire Night? Remembrance Sunday? The elongated run up to Christmas?

All true of course, but for us it’s the month of one of the most notable (or SPOTable!) days on the calendar – Friday November 18 – Children in Need (CiN) night.

Well, we say night, but the evening is the culmination of weeks of preparation, fun and fund-raising for one of the biggest charity events in the UK. The telethon on the 18^th will no doubt be as jam-packed as ever with sketches, music performances and special guests.

Since 1980, more than £1.5 billion has been raised for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. CiN funds thousands of charities and projects that support children and young people. They help them feel and be safer, improve mental health and wellbeing and provide more equal opportunities for all.

Helping children in your area

If you want to know more about how the money helps children in your area there’s an interactive map to enter your postcode on the CiN website. In particular we were thrilled to see so many schemes benefitting in the Greater Manchester area.

And where does that funding come from? The great British public, that’s who. They repeatedly prove there aren’t any lengths they’re not prepared to go to raise money for such important work.

And there’s virtually nothing that can’t be turned into a fund-raising event. This year, the Merrick team will be following in the footsteps of the BBC’s Countryfile with our own money-raising ramble. A great autumnal walk, with maybe a stop off or two, and donations to CiN coffers. What’s not to like!

If you’re thinking this might be the year you want to get involved then there’s lots of great advice on the CiN website to get you started with fund-raising.

There’s also an online store where you can support by buying some Pudsey bear merchandise, including a rather snazzy Countryfile bobble hat.