Thanet was spectacularly spotty in aid of this year’s record-breaking Children in Need appeal.

Thousands of pounds were raised locally by groups, businesses, clubs, schools and individuals as the island once again wore its caring heart on its sleeve.

Hundreds of students at Hartsdown Academy were spot on, wearing spotty accessories and trainers and were met at the main college gates by staff in fancy dress with collection buckets.

Executive head teacher Andy Somers said: “We raise money for a variety of causes throughout the year – Children in Need is a brilliant charity and it is one we are proud to have supported for decades.”

The total from the day is still being counted.

Spots, spots and more spots set the scene at Cliftonville Primary School where youngsters from all classes eagerly exchanged their uniforms to don Pudsey bear scarves and outfits and spotty clothes, painting their faces in spots to match the charity’s 2013 spotty theme.

Pupils donated for the non-uniform day and the school staged a sale of homemade cakes to raise more than £530 for the appeal.

We’re learning, not sleeping! Year 3 and 4 children from St Peter-in-Thanet school in Broadstairs dressed in their pyjamas to raise money for Children in Need.

During the previous week pupils collected pennies for Pudsey, ran cake sales and bought raffle tickets and quiz sheets to support the appeal and on Friday they donated £1 each to wear their pyjamas to school.

Cakes and pyjamas were a popular combination for children and staff at Piggybank Day Nursery. Centre owner Joe Fairbairn dressed as Pudsey and parents baked and donated cakes and other goodies which staff sold outside the nursery. They raised £240.

At Margate’s Hornby Hobbies headquarters, members of staff donated £2 each for a dress down day at work, with some of the braver employees opting to wear onesies and donating £5 each. Between them they raised a total of £198.

Staff also aim to donate toys and models to local charities and organisations which are involved with Children in Need.

Ramsgate Round Table invited BBC’s Pudsey and Blush to Westwood Cross retail park, and shoppers had their picture taken with the cuddly celebrities raising more than £500.

Alex Egeland and sales manager Andrew Hodges from the Grand Garage in Cliftonville raised more than £300 on an 84 mile sponsored six hour cycle around the Silverstone racetrace and surrounding area.

The Harold Road Peugeot garage is inviting Thanet motorists to Get Sudsy with Pudsey, selling Pudsey’s Car Wash Packs and other Children in Need merchandise.

It is the second year that dealer network has clubbed together to raise money for charity, after helping to raise an impressive £500,000 in 2012. Peugeot UK is Children in Need’s official charity partner and the Grand Garage has been fundraising for the cause throughout 2013.

Thanet LeisureForce Limited, which runs a youth theatre club for young people with disabilities, was one of many local causes helped by the charity last year, receiving a grant of more than £52,000.

Donations can be made to Alex and Andrew’s cause at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/GrandGarageMargate

See this week's Thanet Extra for a full Children in Need picture round-up.