BBC Children in Need 2021 telethon raises £39m on the night

BBC Children in Need raised £39.3m following its Friday night telethon event, up more than £2m on last year’s on the night tally.

Organisers thanked supporters after the total was announced saying “your generosity is truly astounding”.

This year’s event, which was broadcast from the BBC’s studios in Salford for the first time, featured appearances from among others Ed Sheeran and Abba.

The total amount pledged was £39,389,048.

Others to take part included TV presenters Graham Norton, Alex Scott and Mel Giedroyc.

There were also performances from children’s TV characters from the past including Zippy, George and Bungle from Rainbow and Basil Brush.

£39,389,048 💛

Thank you, your generosity is truly astounding. Together, we can & we will change young lives.

Watch #ChildreninNeed → @BBCiPlayer
Donate → https://t.co/2juQDENBa0
— BBC Children in Need (@BBCCiN) November 19, 2021

The overall total fundraising figure is set to grow even further over the coming months through follow up donations.

While £37m was raised on the night following the November 2020 telethon, the overall fundraising total for the event was revealed in July this year to be £57.1m, following a subsequent £20m in donations and fundraising.

Last year’s overall fundraising total exceeded the previous year’s total of £53.7m but was still down on the previous two years.

The event in 2018 raised £58.2m and in 2017 the final total was £60.7m.