Children in Need 2025: Appeal night date, presenters, and how the Thousand Mile Challenge set the pace

Children in Need 2025 is entering its final countdown, with the live appeal night set for Friday, 14 November 2025 at 7:00pm (UK time) — that’s 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT for international viewers. This year’s campaign blends classic telethon magic with new twists, from a nationwide Thousand Mile three-legged challenge to a brand-new Pudsey animated special due over the Christmas season.

Children in Need appeal night 2025: when and what to expect

The main show lands on 14 November at 7:00pm (UK) and will showcase real-life stories, surprise performances and fundraising totals across the night. The presenting team features a returning mix of household names, with Vernon Kay, Paddy McGuinness, Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, and Lenny Rush joined by debut presenter Big Zuu. Expect a tighter, high-energy broadcast packed with appeal films and live moments designed to nudge donations through key milestones.

Quick timings

• Live broadcast: Friday, 14 Nov — 7:00pm–late (UK)

• International guide: 2:00pm ET / 7:00pm GMT is 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT

• Pre-show buzz: school and workplace fundraising peaks from Mon 10–Fri 14 Nov

• Donation drives: continue through the weekend with updated totals

(Schedules are subject to change; check on the day for running order updates.)

Thousand Mile Challenge: three-legged feats power early donations

Ahead of appeal night, local radio teams and presenters across the UK and Channel Islands completed a combined 1,000 miles three-legged on 4–5 November. The format is delightfully simple: two walkers tethered at the ankle, joined at various legs by supporters and project beneficiaries. The stunt achieved three things at once—raising money, telling impact stories on the move, and sparking dozens of copycat challenges in towns and schools. Regional walks will continue popping up through next week, so expect fresh donation spikes as communities post their totals.

Why it works

• Visibility: instantly shareable photos and short videos.

• Inclusion: easy to replicate at any age or fitness level.

• Storytelling: mile-by-mile check-ins keep projects and people front-and-centre.

Pudsey steps onto the small screen: a first-ever animated special

For the first time, Pudsey stars in a 25-minute animated adventure slated for the Christmas schedules. The film is designed to capture themes central to the charity—hope, resilience and being seen—and should extend the fundraising halo into the festive period. Expect character-led storytelling ideal for family viewing, and look for tie-in schools packs and craft ideas to keep younger supporters engaged after appeal night.

Fundraising ideas for the final week

Whether you’re a workplace, school, or a couple of friends with an afternoon to spare, these are quick to run and effective:

• Spotty day at work or school: small donations for wearing dots or yellow.

• Bake-off with a twist: “one-colour” bakes judged on taste and creativity.

• Mini three-legged relay: five-minute loops around the playground or office park.

• Skill auction: donate a lesson (guitar, coding, cake decorating) to the highest bidder.

• Give-it-up challenge: coffee, takeaways or ride-hails for a week—log savings as donations.

Tip: match-funding from employers or parent-teacher groups can instantly double totals.

What donations support in 2025

Children in Need funds local organisations that work with disadvantaged children and young people—from mental-health support and bereavement counselling to disability inclusion, youth clubs, mentoring and emergency hardship relief. Grants typically prioritise front-line, community-based projects, with an emphasis on safeguarding and measurable outcomes. The campaign’s message this year is frank: demand is high, and every extra pound widens the circle of projects that can be funded.

Presenters, performances and moments to watch

• Six-host line-up balancing entertainment and impact films.

• Mass-participation choir pieces and region-to-studio handovers.

• Surprise cast reunions and skits designed to light up social feeds.

• Real-time totalisers after standout films—traditionally the biggest spur to giving.

How to get involved this week

• Register your fundraiser with your school or HR team to enable match-funding.

• Go contactless: QR codes on posters and desks increase spontaneous giving.

• Share impact stories: one paragraph about a local project beats generic appeals.

• Keep it short: 30–90 minute events at lunch or after school maximise turnout.

With appeal night on Friday, 14 November at 7:00pm (UK), the push is on to turn three-legged miles, spotty dress-ups and bake sales into funded places at clubs, counselling sessions and safe spaces. Pudsey’s upcoming festive film will keep the conversation going, but the big lift happens this week—every small event adds up to a life-changing total.