Pudsey Bear, Children in Need and Round Table

Pudsey Bear is the iconic mascot of the BBC’s Children in Need charity. Created in 1985 by BBC designer Joanna Lane, Pudsey is a yellow teddy bear with a multicoloured spotted bandana covering one eye. Named after the town of Pudsey in West Yorkshire (Joanna’s hometown), Pudsey quickly became a national symbol for charitable giving in support of disadvantaged children across the UK

One of Round Table Great Britain & Ireland’s significant contributions has been to the Children in Need campaigns, often leveraging Pudsey Bear to drive fundraising and awareness.

Community Stories & Impact

Across the UK, Round Table clubs have organised events with children and families—craft activities, costume parades, and Pudsey-themed quizzes—to support BBC Children in Need. Schools, community groups, and businesses collaborate to boost visibility and raise funds “for the children in need.” Though specific Round Table stories in the national press are rare, local anecdotes underline their active participation in annual appeals

1. Round Table West Midlands
Pudsey Bear joined Round Table West Midlands at Touchwood, Solihull, where they raised £1,037.12 in a single fundraising event for Children in Need.

2. Rugby Round Table (Warwickshire)
Pudsey Bear appeared alongside members of Rugby Round Table, helping them raise nearly £400 in small donations through local street fundraising and community presence. Their event highlighted Round Table members’ willingness to get out and meet the public directly for a good cause.

3. Dundee Round Table
In 2020, Dundee Round Table supported a city-wide fundraising tour featuring Pudsey Bear aboard a bright yellow double-decker bus. The event saw Pudsey criss-cross the city with help from local volunteers, raising funds and lifting community spirits during lockdown. With support from STV and other partners, the tour brought visibility to Children in Need while respecting distancing guidelines

4. Southport Hesketh Round Table 1199 (Merseyside)
Pudsey Bear made a return visit to Southport in support of Round Table 1199’s Children in Need campaign. Local communications mentioned that planning was underway, continuing the tradition of Pudsey appearances to encourage public donations.