THOUSANDS of pounds were raised for Children In Need with a feast of charity events around the county guaranteed to raise a smile.

The Park Club in Milton, near Didcot, raised money with a fun event, featuring stalls, a bouncy castle, obstacle course, raffle and refreshments at the Willowbrook Leisure Centre, Didcot. The fun continued on Saturday) with Tae-Kwondo instructors leading workshops.

The leisure centre asked its gym-goers to wear spotty clothing, and also held a cheeky cake sale and competitions.

There was more fun at the Oxfordshire Golf Club, in Ryecote Lane, Milton Common, which again staged its traditional Children in Need event for members and guests. They were supported by local businesses and other golf and sports clubs who provided prizes to be auctioned. Entertainment came from comedian Adger Brown.

At Grandpont Nursery School, in Whitehouse Road, Oxford, staff raised sponsorship for wacky hair styles at their cake sale.

Schools around Oxfordshire had 'spotacular' uniform days in the style of bear mascot Pudsey, famous for his spotted bandage.

At St Francis Primary School in Cowley and Mabel Pritchard School in Cuddesdon Way, Oxford, pupils paid £1 each to wear something spotty. Mabel Pritchard School and St Ebbe's School in Whitehouse Road also held cake sales.

Bicester's Glory Farm School took the spotty day to another level, with children not only painting spots on their uniforms, but also their faces. Amelia Gardner-Delvalle and Alfie Glen from year two, said: "We have dressed spotty to tell people we are thinking about Children in Need. We need to help others by giving money that can buy medicines to make people better and give them clean water".

In Tiddington, seven-year-old Abbie Simpson kicked off Children in Need early, braving a Pudsey haircut at an event she organised which also saw her donating her long locks to cancer charity the Little Princess Trust – which provides real hair wigs to children suffering hair loss.

The Great Milton Primary School pupil has been fundraising since October, holding a coffee morning, cake sale, raffles, and tombola. She also got involved in her school's cake sale and spotty uniform day on Friday.

Mrs Simpson, 37, said: "Abbie always wanted to do something for Children in Need. It's always been on her mind. We are so proud of her."

Abbie managed to raise an amazing £1,267 from the event alone and had nine inches of her hair cut in front of everyone at the hall.

Didcot Girls' School celebrated with a range of fundraising events including cakes sales, sponsored events and a non-uniform day.

Staff and pupils had a role reversal at John Mason school in Abingdon as teachers wore uniform, instead of the students, some of whom wore Pudsey onesies. Sixth form students also led activities in the gym at break times to raise money and spread awareness of the charity – and it's work for children here in the UK and overseas.