FUNDRAISERS will run, cycle and dance across Oxfordshire for this year’s mammoth cash effort for Children in Need.

Tonight, The Oxford Athletics Association will start generating funds for the charity when they attempt to break the world record for a relay marathon.

In teams of nine, the hopefuls will take turns running 200-metre lengths, with the first runners setting off at 6pm at the Horspath Road athletic track.

Employees from Oxford-based firm Maccaferri travelled to Scotland last month to help rebuild a children’s special needs centre.

The firm donated stone-filled baskets to help rebuild The Yard in Edinburgh as part of a special edition of the BBC TV show DIY SOS.

Drew McCartney said: “It has been great to be involved and a real pleasure to help a worthy cause.”

Back in Oxford, two brothers and their uncle have already raised £1,000 in sponsorship for their ambitious athletic challenge tomorrow – a 26-mile cycle from Oxford to High Wycombe, followed by a 27-mile run to London’s Wembley Stadium.

Kevin and Stuart Dudley, from Headington, and their uncle Hugh Howells, have spent weeks in training.

Kevin Dudley said: “This is going to be the hardest challenge of our lives and one we very much intend to complete even if we have to crawl into Wembley.”

On Saturday, Banbury Lions will host Oxfordshire’s biggest children’s party for Children in Need, with 500 young dancers bouncing around to the Bumble-B-Roadshow.

Youngsters under 12 can enjoy a dance at the General Foods Social Club from 2pm to 5pm.

Tomorrow morning in Abingdon, sixth formers from Fitzharry’s School will raffle a luxury local food hamper at Abingdon Farmer’s Market.

Earlier this month, five schools in Oxfordshire took part in a Make a Pudsey Bear competition at Hobbycraft, at Meadowside Retail Park in Oxford.

Pupils from Botley Primary School, West Kidlington Primary School, William Fletcher Primary School in Yarnton, Windale Primary School in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, and St Michael’s Primary School in Marston, Oxford, put their hand-made bears on display until last Sunday, with the public making donations to vote for their favourite.

Pupils at William Fletcher Primary School won after their creation got the most votes.

Yesterday afternoon, Pudsey limbered up with a sponsored danceathon at Abingdon’s Kindergarten nursery.

Tomorrow he will visit employees at telecoms firm Extera near Banbury to ask for donations.

  • What are you doing for Children in Need? Telephone 01865 424531 and send your pictures to picturedesk@nqo.com with details and a contact telephone number