SCHOOLS and care homes across the conurbation have been donning their spots and getting active to raise money for Children In Need.

Primary and secondary schools across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch have been hosting mufti days, tabletop sales and tombolas to raise money for the charity.

Some schools, including Stourfiled infant school and St Luke's Church of England Primary School even taking part in Joe Wick’s Big Morning Move, a live workout hosted by the celebrity fitness coach to encouraged pupils to have fun while getting active.

St Martin’s School in Bournemouth hosted a mufti day where one student dressed up as Pudsey and collected donations on his way to school.

The school’s Headteacher Mrs Laura Richards said: “Children at St Martin’s School have been raising money for Children in Need, bringing in donations and wearing mufti.

“Many of the children are wearing Children in Need themed clothes, we even have our very own Pudsey.”

Children at St. Peter's School were invited to come to school for the day wearing fun socks in return for a 50p donation towards 'Children In Need.' They were challenged to bring their 50p donation in as many coins as possible to help with their competition. Each class then used the coins collected to make an image of Pudsey Bear.

Liz Wogan, Head of Primary Phase, said: "Pudsey himself came in to visit the children and judge the competition. 4D were the winners, but it was a very difficult decision for Pudsey! Much fun was had by all and lots of money was collected for a fantastic cause."

The children of Stourfield Infant School were delighted to have a surprise visit from Pudsey and his new friend Dorsey bears today to celebrate Children in Need, with a little help from ASDA Bournemouth.

The children cheered and waved to Pudsey and Dorsey as the bears turned up to lead the children’s Wake and Shake morning dance session before the lessons began on Friday November 15.

Mrs Foyle, Interim Headteacher, Stourfield Infant School said: “There was pure excitement on every child’s face as Pudsey and Dorsey turned up. It was beautiful to see. Both of these organisations do so much in the local community it was a pleasure to have them with us and see the bears dancing with the children.”

Bethany O’Connell, aged 6 said: “Today is a brilliant day. We‘re doing exciting things for Children in Need at school today but this has been the best morning ever.”

Later that day, Pudsey also played handball with Poole Pheonix Handball at Avonbourne School for Boys, with students competing in a penalty shootout against the mascot.

But its not just schools that are getting involved. A group of New Forest care homes showed they were in perfect sync when it came to staging a Danceathon for BBC Children in Need.

Colten Care’s Kingfishers in Barton-on-Sea hosted residents from its sister homes Avon Reach in Mudeford, Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst and Belmore Lodge and Linden House in Lymington for the 10-hour music and dance extravaganza.

Kingfishers Manager Beata Brzozowska, who donned a pair of Pudsey Bear slippers for the event, explained: “Colten residents love to support Children in Need and they also love anything to do with music and dancing, so it has been an excuse to dress up, donate to a great cause and really enjoy ourselves.”

“One of our companionship team members, Sarah Morris came up with the idea for a Danceathon and our Music and Arts Partner Fiona Pritchard coordinated the playlist and dance sessions, while our team here supervised the day.

“The aim has been for at least one person in the home to be dancing at all times and I have to say that Ben Benson-Breen, one of Colten’s Senior Companionship Team Leaders revealed himself to be a real dancing star!

“We have listened to every genre of music, from country to Latin, 50s to disco - people just haven’t stopped swaying, foot tapping and singing.”