BBC Radio Orkney has announced that this year’s Children in Need fundraising telephone auction on Friday Nov 13th will be the last, blaming the increasing demands of the BBC compliance process for the demise of a much-loved annual event.
The BBC Local station made the announcement on this morning’s (October 7) Around Orkey programme, and explained:
“Radio Orkney is sad to announce this year’s Children in Need fundraising telephone auction on Friday Nov 13th will be our last.
In this morning’s Around Orkney programme, we break the news the increasing demands of the BBC compliance process around holding the popular annual event has made it unsustainable. So, we intend to go out with a bang next month.
We are inviting donations of high quality items for the phone auction which need to be with us by Friday 6th November.
Also in this morning’s programme we hear from SSEN about its plans for a new subsea cable connection between Holm and Burray with consultation events from 2-7pm at the Burray Hall today and 2-7pm at the Holm Hall tomorrow.
All that and the news, weather, sheep prices, community diary and a peep inside this week’s edition of The Orcadian too.”
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BBC Children in Need is the official charity of the BBC, dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. Represented by the famous mascot Pudsey Bear, the organisation funds thousands of local charities and projects addressing poverty, mental health, inequality, and disability. It raises millions annually through public donations, community events, and a flagship televised appeal every November.
In Orkney, the impact of the charity is deeply felt locally. BBC Radio Orkney acts as a focal point for island fundraising, regularly hosting marathon radio broadcasts and popular charity auctions to support the cause. The money raised funds vital services across the archipelago. Major multi-year grants in the past have backed initiatives like the Orkney Youth Cafe and Voluntary Action Orkney’s Connect project, while smaller “Blue Sky” grants fund vital weekly youth groups on smaller islands like Rousay.
