Pudseymania gripped Thanet as generous supporters donated tens of thousands of pounds for the annual Children in Need appeal.

Businesses, schools, colleges, pubs, clubs, groups, organisations and individuals each found their own ways to raise much-needed money for worthy causes in the UK and abroad.

Children at Haddon Dene Prep School in Broadstairs, Kent raised more than £300 when children aged 7-11 performed improvised drama sketches to 35 parents and staff., while others organised and ran a cake and toy sale.

Headmaster David Alexander said: “It was a fun two days for everyone involved and the children put a lot of effort into organising everything, selling cakes and toys, the drama performance and my favourite part - the sponsored silence.’

Members of Thanet council staff coaxed money from colleagues as they toured the offices as a gang of television and film characters including Buzz Lightyear, Darth Vader, Bugs Bunny and Sylvester Cat, a pirate and huge Sumo wrestlers. Money from their efforts is still being collated.

At Hartsdown Technology College, spectacular costumes were the order of the day and events included a 12-hour performathon that featured a range of non-stop entertainments including singing, dancing, music, sketches and mime. Costumed characters were at the main gates to collect for the charity, while students will also raised money for the Pretty In Pink breast cancer awareness campaign.

Principal Andy Somers said: “I am terrifically proud of the attitude of everyone associated with charity events at this college. It takes time and effort but students and staff pull together for the good of those less fortunate than themselves, even in a deprived area like Thanet. It shows the real meaning of community spirit.”

Charity champion 10-year-old Megan Wallace co-ordinated a range of activities at St Peter’s junior school where pupils encouraged by her determination raised around £1000.

Assisted by a small team of helpers including Eliza Samson and Charlie Twyman, she set about drawing up a programme of activities throughout the day.

This included Megan decorating 600 buns with the help of her mum Lesley to sell for 25p each. Megan said: “It took us two weeks to decorate them in the colours of Pudsey Bear’s 2008 red, white and blue bandana – but we did it.”

With the help of her mum, who works at Tesco Extra superstore, Westwood, Megan also managed to enlist the shop to donate more cakes, which the pupils decorated in the staff training room, and then sold to shoppers on Children in Need day after school.

She said: “Tesco’s, my school, the staff, families and pupils have been fantastic and really got behind me.”

Her other ideas included a sponsored 'run round the donut’ (the shape of the school building); covering a giant Pudsey picture with coins; a pick a Pudsey competition to win a teddy bear donated by the school; and were sponsored to wear slippers for the day.