Children in Need fundraiser gets under way

It’s that time of year again – the annual BBC Children in Need fundraising appeal.

BBC Radio Orkney is gearing up to host its annual marathon fundraising programme, this evening, for the  appeal.

From 7pm, listeners will be treated to a variety of entertainment, with presenters, Colin Kirkness, Vera Butler, Lizzie Linklater, Glynis Tait  and Graham Garson, who will read out the listeners’ pledges and interview fundraisers who pop into the Castle Street Studio.

There will be live music from the Kirkwall City Pipe Band, Noust from Sanday, Belt Hid Oot, and some of the KAOS 9 to 5 cast.

And it wouldn’t be Children in Need without the much-anticipated BBC Radio Orkney auction.

Local businesses, organisations and individuals have already been digging deep, donating a selection of items which are put into “lots” and auctioned off to the highest bidder during the fundraising show.

Last year’s auction took in £12,782, which is a big part of the total raised on the night. In all, 2015’s total was £24,231.79.

The “star items” will run all night, and the other lots will be auctioned off in hours, beginning roughly at 7.15pm.

Among the items up for grabs is a Masterchef meal, cooked by Kerry Leask and provided by Orkney Food and Drink; a peedie Orkney grandbairns’ strawback chair made by Hugh Mainland; a gift box of three bottles of Orkney Wine’s Cask black portent, plus an Isle of Arran Distillery Whisky Cask; return travel with NorthLink from Kirkwall to Lerwick or Aberdeen for four passengers and a car, and an Orkney chair from Colin Kirkness and Julia Hume.

Tune into 93.7fm to hear the programme, and call the station on 873939 when the  auction lots are live, to make a bid.

• Are you, or your school, organisation or business, doing something for Children in Need? Let us know, or send in photographs, and we’ll try to include as many as possible in next week’s paper.