Last updated 13:53, Friday, 21 November 2008

WEST Cumbrians proved they had more than just the bear essentials when it came to last Friday’s BBC Children in Need.

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Funny wigs and silly ties, among other activities, to raise money for Children in Need at Cockermouth school.

Fund-raisers of all ages dug deep for this year’s appeal, helping to collect £85,847 in Cumbria and a national total of almost £21 million.

Among those who did their bit were pupils and teachers from Stainburn School, Workington, who raised £900.

They held a seven-a-side basketball match, which the teachers won 14-4.

Pupils also took part in a non-uniform day, and ran stalls with cakes and scratch cards.

The event was organised by head girl Abigail Hewitt, 15, head boy Mark Brown, 15, and student committee members Sam Parker, 13, Andrew Scaplehorn, 13, Michelle Smallwood, 15, Daniel Vancliff, 15, and Keann Langsley, 15.

Meanwhile, Cockermouth School raised £1,000 last Friday.

They took part in a wacky hair day and pupils queued up to throw wet sponges at assistant headteacher Steve Millage, head of Year 13 Richard King, head of Year 12 Charlotte Dumbill, assistant head of year Gemma Foster, head of Year 7 Ian Routledge and ICT teacher Martin Sluce.

The autistic and learning support centre baked cakes and washed teachers’ cars to raise money.

Head boy Andy Foye said: “We’d like to thank everyone on the student committee for working so hard to organise today.

“All the pupils have enjoyed taking part in the events and the teachers have been such good sports.

“We hope to do something again next year.”

Children from St Michael’s Nursery and Infant School, in Workington, raised £238.58 for Children in Need.

Pupils from the Station Road school held a non-uniform day, and were also asked to bring in as much loose change as possible to fill a giant picture of Pudsey Bear which was painted on the floor of their sports hall.

Budding young stars of the stage in Cumbria raised £150 for the appeal.

The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy held bonfire night lessons in aid of the charity at classes in Keswick, Workington and Cockermouth.

Parents joined in the fun and fancy dress, along with the youngsters.