Jackie Bird issues Children in Need appeal as charities feel Covid-19 pinch

JACKIE BIRD has urged Scots to give what they can to Children in Need tonight as many charities struggle to survive.

Children in Need: Jackie Bird

The presenter, who will host the annual fundraiser for the twentieth time tonight, said 2020 was "a year like no other" due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

She told how she has been moved to tears when talking to charities about the challenges they have faced as they lost vital income.

Scotland will mark 40 years of Children In Need with an extra hour of fundraising on the BBC Scotland channel at 10pm, following the network coverage.

Children in Need logo.

Jackie, 58, will shine a light on dedicated charities helping youngsters across Scotland and fundraisers who have continued to raise money despite the challenges posed by Covid-19.

The show will include music from Del Amitri and up-and-coming Edinburgh star Bow Anderson, and comedy from Scot Squad, with appearances from other well-known faces.

Jackie said: "This is a Children in Need like no other -- charities are on their knees. There's greater need than ever before and there's probably less money than ever before. In my 20 years, this is uncharted territory.

"We're not flippantly putting on a show and blithely asking people to put their hands in their pockets, because it's a difficult situation for all people. My only hope is that people will see the stories that we tell on Children in Need and find it within themselves to donate whatever they can.

"As a nation we punch above our weight and this year we are using the new BBC Scotland channel to show the people of Scotland not just the need that's out there but how many charities have completely revolutionised what they do to try to meet that need. It's an hour of hope and inspiration and that's why we really hope people will sit back on Friday night and tune in.

"I've been talking to charities and it's moved me on occasion to tears how they are struggling but how they are not giving up, the relentlessness of their cause and how absolutely determined they are.

"They do it because they care. If we can do a small thing that maybe helps them out -- and survive -- until things get a little better, then the people of Scotland will have done themselves proud."

Jackie revealed that Sir Tom Hunter will appear on the show. She praised the philanthropist for boosting money raised in The Kiltwalk after it became a virtual event this year, and urged other wealthy Scots to dig deep.

She said: "Children in Need is a special night. It means a lot to me. You can't watch the films on our programme and not care. I spoke to a small charity called the Haven whose funding stopped in March and they didn't know what they were going to do. They are one of the recipients of the charity Kiltwalk and on the day that Sir Tom Hunter announced that he would double the money they were crying on their knees, so grateful because it meant they could continue to bring help to the children.”* Children in Need is on BBC One from 7pm-10pm and on the BBC Scotland channel tonight at 10pm-11pm.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.