SUFFOLK'S selfless fundraisers and marvellous heroes were out in force today as part of the multi-million pound fundraising drive for Children in Need.

SUFFOLK'S selfless fundraisers and marvellous heroes were out in force today as part of the multi-million pound fundraising drive for Children in Need.

People of all ages took part in activities ranging from dressing up in tiaras and tuxedos, baking cakes, rowing the length of the Thames, or dunking their bosses in yucky goo.

And The Evening Star, which was edited by Pudsey Bear for the day, has been doing its bit too, by giving 2p from every sale to the charity. The contribution was generously doubled to 4p by Graeme Kalbraier, the managing director of Ipswich-based insurance company Call Connection.

BBC Radio Suffolk's Mark Murphy, even presented his breakfast show from the Star's office with the help of Pudsey.

The breakfast presenter said: “This is a fabulous opportunity to see how the award-winning Evening Star newspaper is put together and at the same time raise plenty of money for Children In Need.

“We'll let the readers decide whether Pudsey's editorial decisions were the right ones.”

And Nigel Pickover, the Star's normal editor who has been demoted to deputy editor for the day, said: “This is a fantastic day when the wonderful spirit of people in Suffolk really can be seen.

“Everyone taking part and doing their bit, whether they raise 50p, £50 or £500, should be justifiably proud of themselves.

“And I am so pleased that the Evening Star has once again been able to support the cause that I don't even mind being out of a job on this occasion!”

Elsewhere in the county people have already done their bit for under 18s who have suffered hardship, difficulties and disadvantage but taking part in the annual, nationwide event which raised a gigantic £33 million last year.

Pauline Renn, deputy supervisor at the Langer Playgroup in Felixstowe, which held a fancy dress competition yesterday where Pudsey was a judge, said: “We had a great time and collected just over £100.

“The children all joined in and the boy who won was dressed as a fire engine made out of a box!

“It is nice to take part in an event which raises money for other children and we did explain to our students that they were helping less fortunate children.”

Two other youngsters who have been getting into the Children In Need spirit today are Joshua Gooderham and Amelia Whomes.

The Chilton Primary School pupils became stars for the day as they hosted their very own radio show on BBC Radio Suffolk.

Rod Dunge, whose thunder they stole when they presented his show from 5am to 6.30am, said: “I'm worried now - they were really good and completely free of fear.

“Events happen throughout the day so it was nice to kick off Children In Need in Suffolk early.”

And tonight, as the live television show hosted by Terry Wogan, Natasha Kaplinski and Fearne Cotton starts on BBC 1, staff at AXA's call centre in Ipswich will be taking pledges and hoping to beat last year's total.

All the money raised will then go to support schemes like the Ipswich Community Playbus which received £45,000 from Children In Need during the summer.

The scheme's chairwoman, Liz Harsant, said: “The money we got was fantastic and has kept us going as we were strapped for cash beforehand.

“Now we can pay for our co-ordinator for three years so we are thrilled to bits with Children In Need and it is nice to see the money coming back to Ipswich.”