BBC Radio 2 last year raised a whopping £5.7 million for BBC Children in Need. This year the network is hoping to break this record with a number of fantastic fundraising activities. 

Radio 2’s Ken Bruce is heading to his hometown of Glasgow to host a live version of his hit PopMaster quiz as part of the station’s drive to help raise money for this year’s BBC Children in Need.

Ken, who presents the second most popular radio show in the country reaching over 8.3 million listeners every week (RAJAR, Q2 2016), will be hosting the event at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow City Centre on Wednesday 9 November and tickets are now on sale for fans to be part of the evening. For further details visit bbc.co.uk/radio2.

The evening is part of a series of fundraising events, live auctions and special competition prizes to raise funds for this year’s BBC Children in Need Appeal which takes place on Friday 18 November.

Bob Shennan, Controller BBC Radio 2 and Vice Chairman of Children in Need says: “PopMaster is one of the musical jewels in Radio 2’s crown as well as being cult listening for Ken’s audience every day. This event is the perfect way to raise money for BBC Children in Need and I’m sure the audience will dig deep whilst having a brilliant night to help support this great cause.”

Ken Bruce says: “It’s always fun taking PopMaster out of the studio and I’m particularly excited to be bringing it home to Glasgow this year. It’s going to be a really fun night made extra special because it’s in aid of such an important and worthy cause. May the battle for the top pop spot commence!”

A gala performance on Thursday 27 October of the 1950s Hollywood-style comedy play, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, will take place at London’s Criterion Theatre. Tickets to attend are on sale now via bbc.co.uk/radio2 with proceeds going to Children in Need. As an extra treat before the performance, listeners will also be able to purchase tickets to attend a special pre-theatre VIP drinks reception at the Le Méridien Piccadilly hotel, hosted by Radio 2 presenters and friends.

Radio 2 presenter and Strictly Come Dancing head judge Len Goodman will be donning his dancing shoes to host a tea dance at The Waldorf Hilton hotel on Sunday 13 November. He will be joined by some special guests from the station plus 100 lucky listeners who’ll be able to join Len on the dance floor by entering a text-in competition to win tickets. The competition will run from Monday 31 October to Friday 4 November. More information on how to enter will be available at bbc.co.uk/radio2.

The Chris Evans Breakfast Show (6.30-9.30am) which attracts 9.47 million listeners every week (RAJAR, Q2 2016) will also lend its support by hosting a series of auctions across the week of the Appeal. From Monday 14 to Thursday 17 November in the lead up to the BBC Children in Need Appeal, Chris will auction extraordinary packages, with some special guests joining him in the studio to help get the fundraising underway and put the prizes under the hammer.

Chris Evans’ annual CarFest − a medley of fast cars, great food, live music and a rich mix of family entertainment − raised an outstanding £1.7 million in 2015 and the amount raised at this year’s events will be announced in November.

On BBC Children in Need Appeal day on Friday 18 November, Radio 2 listeners will be given the chance to win a series of money-can’t-buy experiences and help change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.