ALL-OVER body waxing, fancy dress theme days and world record attempts were just some of the ways charitable souls across north Hampshire raised thousands of pounds for Children in Need.

The total raised across the South for the BBC's annual fundraising extravaganza stood at £450,788 when Monday's Gazette went to press.

But bucket-loads more cash was on its way as fundraisers got down to the task of counting the rewards of the various fun-filled activities that have taken place over the last couple of days.

Brave Ben Rosier, of Butler Close, South Ham, Basingstoke, bared all at Waxworks beauty salon, in Church Street, and agreed to have an all-over body wax in aid of Children in Need.

Mr Rosier raised more than £200 through sponsorship from his family and friends.

Employees at Kier Building Services Engineers (KBSE) donned their cowboy boots and Stetsons for a Wild West-themed fundraising day. A raffle and cake sale raised more than £500.

Andrew Perrin, an employee at KBSE, said: "The day was great fun for everyone, with money raised for a very good cause."

The Academy, in Worting Road, Basingstoke, hosted a week of charitable fun, kicking off with three Guinness World Record attempts for continuous DJ-ing, drumming and pool playing.

John Hicks, of Headline Promotions, said: "Everyone here at The Academy has been amazing. People have been generous with their sponsor money and also with their time.

"We have needed witnesses for the record attempts around the clock and we have had lots of people more than willing to help."

The Academy also held a karaoke competition on Saturday, which was judged by Pete Staples of '60s pop legends The Troggs.

It is hoped that all the events at The Academy will raise £2,500 for Pudsey.

Pictures from Children in Need events around the area can be viewed by clicking here. To send us your photos for inclusion in the picture gallery click here.

Pudsey briefs
NETBALLERS at Brighton Hill Community College took part in a marathon sponsored netball tournament to do their bit for Pudsey.

Pupils began playing at 8am on November 3, then staff took over for a few hours before the school's netball team came in and played right through the night.

More than 200 girls and staff took part in the event, and the school is hoping to raise £5,000 for the BBC's annual appeal.

PE teacher Vicky Drinkwater, who organised the event, said: "Towards three or four in the morning, the girls were starting to tire a bit, but they were all really fantastic and kept going."

A group of Year 9 and 10 pupils also raised £100 washing teachers' cars.

GAZETTE employees Joanne Mace and Beth Percy put their baking skills to the test and held a home-made cake and biscuit sale at the paper's Pelton Road office.

Pudsey-shaped biscuits and iced chocolate-chip cakes were gobbled up by all the staff, and £43.10 was raised for Children in Need.

TELEVISION legend Dickie Davies took part in the annual day of fun at Sandford Springs Golf Club for Children in Need.

Generous golfers at the Kingsclere club raised more than £3,500 by dressing up for a special 18-hole game.

There were prizes for the straightest drive and "nearest the pin", as well as the usual prizes for the teams in first, second and third.

A total of 84 people braved the weather and completed the course.

Andrew Wild, deputy general manager, said: "It was a great effort from everyone despite the horrendous weather. Everyone had fun and we raised a great total for a great cause."

THE 7th Basingstoke Brownies held a special talent show to celebrate their 50th birthday and to support Pudsey's annual fundraising campaign.

The girls performed a variety of acts, including singing, dancing, joke-telling and gymnastics. They also sold refreshments and had collection buckets at the end of the show, raising an impressive £60.

DANCE fever took over at Loose Moose theatre company with a hip-hop masterclass from the winner of the BBC's Strictly Dance Fever, Hollie Robertson.

Members of Loose Moose also held an open evening show for parents on Saturday and jingled collection buckets to boost their fundraising total.

Karen Blackburn, principal of Loose Moose, said: "All the children and parents have been fantastic. We hope to raise at least £1,500 for this year's appeal."

STAFF at Phillips Solicitors tore strips off trainee Andy Wilson - wax strips that is - when they waxed his legs to raise money for Pudsey.

The legal firm, based in London Street, Basingstoke, also held an auction of promises, sold cakes and held various competitions to raise as much money as possible. The six partners at the firm agreed to match the total, ultimately raising £1,424.

Phillips would like to thank all the local businesses that donated items for the auction and The Suntan Shop for providing the wax.

STAFF and customers at The Chineham Arms pub pulled out all the stops on Friday to do their bit for this year's appeal.

Donations from a raffle, a fancy dress competition and a karaoke session raised a total of £300.