BBC Children in Need has today launched this year’s schools fundraising campaign led by a host of celebrity supporters including Olympian, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, England Lionesses Chloe Kelly, Demi Stokes, Leah Williamson OBE and Presenter and YouTube sensation, Harry Pinero, who have all recreated nostalgic photos from their school days to encourage teachers and children across the UK to raise money for the charity this year.

Last year over 17,000 schools across the UK took part in fundraising for BBC Children in Need, translating to 3.3 million children and raising an average of £5m for children and young people who need it most.

This year’s schools campaign celebrates the power of positive relationships, and the impact of these relationships in helping to support children and young people throughout their school years. Many children and young people experience their first positive relationship with a trusted adult - outside of their family - with a teacher or mentor at school and this year the charity are celebrating schools being a setting that supports positive relationships for many children and young people.

Each celebrity has shared the story of their positive relationship from childhood to shine a light on the importance of having a mentor, teacher or family member to that champions and inspires young people.

Encouraging schools to back this year’s campaign, England Lioness, Leah Williamson OBE, said: “It’s so important for young people to have a positive relationship with a mentor – whether that’s a family member, a teacher or project worker to support them and to feel understood and that’s why I’m supporting BBC Children in Need’s 2023 Schools fundraising campaign and encouraging children up and down the country to fundraise and help make a positive difference young lives.”

Speaking about the importance of having a mentor, England Lioness, Demi Stokes, said: “At school, a positive influence for me as a young person was my teacher, Mr Williamson. He was someone who I could always go to if anything was on my mind, he encouraged and believed in me, and always supported my interest in football. I can’t wait to see schools across the nation come together to support this year’s BBC Children in Need schools campaign and help make a difference to the lives of children and young people.”

Speaking about her support of the charity’s schools campaign, England Lioness, Chloe Kelly, said: “I think it’s important for young people to have a positive connection with a mentor, teacher or parent so they’re encouraged to be themselves, and feel comfortable to speak openly about anything that’s troubling them and enjoy their childhood. BBC Children in Need’s schools campaign sees schools up and down the country come together to support children and young people across the UK. This year schools can get involved by taking part in a Bearpees challenge or even a sponsored teachers versus pupils football match.”

Remembering memories of teachers who had a positive influence in his life, presenter, Harry Pinero, said: “At school I had two teachers, Mr King and Mr Hanion who were a positive influence on me as a young man navigating the world around me. Mr King would always say to me, that we're smarter than our situations, and that really stuck with me. Mr Hanion would also say to me don't let people around you take you away from how smart you are. At school I was always laughing and joking with friends and had a strong community behind me, supporting me. This enabled me to believe in myself and that’s why I’m urging schools across the UK to get fundraising for this year’s BBC Children in Need schools campaign to help support young people in your local community.”

Speaking about her memories of school, Olympian, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, said: “I really enjoyed my time at school when I was younger, I loved the school dinners! I made some of my closest friends and loved School Sports Day. I always had a positive support network of family, grandparents and fantastic PE teachers, who were very encouraging of my athletic journey. Having positive influences around me when I was younger always put in a good and happy headspace, that’s why I’m supporting BBC Children in Need’s schools fundraising campaign. You can get involved and change the lives of children and young people across the UK by taking part in your own fundraising activity like a sponsored fancy dress fun run, or a ‘teachers v pupils’ Bearpees challenge.”

BBC Children in Need is challenging schoolchildren across the UK to fundraise and help change young lives up and down the country. This year the charity is encouraging children from the early years foundation stage (EYFS), through to primary school and secondary school to get Spotacular and challenge themselves.

There are lots of ways that nurseries, preschools and schools can get involved and fundraise for the charity:

For the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), fundraising kits will be available to download form the BBC Children in Need website. Young children can take part by dressing up to participating in a treasure hunt, biscuit decorating or taking part in Pudsey arts and crafts there are lots ways to fundraise this year.
In the run up to the appeal, primary schoolchildren are being encouraged to get involved in fundraising whether that be getting involved in a Bearpees challenge or a Pudsey run with friends, a sponsored fancy dress day, a bake sale or an arts and crafts session.
For secondary schools, pupils are being asked to get together to hold a sponsored Bearpees challenge or a Pudsey fun run on the school field. Pupils can also take part in a non-uniform day with friends.
Money raised through BBC Children in Need’s 2023 Appeal will help children and young people across the UK overcome the additional challenges they currently face, including supporting children and young people living in poverty, providing emergency support to families in crisis, providing comfort to children feeling sad, lost and alone, helping children overcome social injustice and supporting children to feel safe and secure again.

Schools can sign-up for a free supporter kits, full of fun-filled fundraising ideas, inspiration, tools, advice and educational resources below.