Put the Pudsey ears on... it's Children in Need season

The official event is on Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19 but the run-up and the fundraising are already well underway.

No matter what is going on in the outside world, Children in Need creates a warm bubble of generosity and I will bet my bottom dollar that, even in the midst of the cost of living crisis, millions of pounds will be raised.

It seems crazy that, in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, it takes a Telethon to pay for the type of social services that should be paid for by the Government by way of our taxes. But whatever your thoughts on the matter - people give!

The secret is probably the fact that they have fun doing it, as these pictures show.

We do not have any photos of anyone in a bath of baked beans - and this year, perhaps refrain from that.

Use food as food and, if you have already bought enough baked beans to fill a bath, give them to your nearest food bank.

Anyway, let us just enjoy these pictures. 

Children in Need means surprise visits from Pudsey. It means going to school in your pyjamas or with a crazy hairstyle or fancy dress.

It means baking and eating cakes and skipping or keeping quiet for hours or reading so many books in so many hours or days.

Businesses get involved. In these photos, Greggs does not only provide us with Pudsey-themed cookies, but in 2011 they walked from Allonby to Workington in fancy dress.

In fact, at this time of year, it is quite normal to go into shops and other public premises to find staff with funny clothes and/or an extra set of yellow ears sticking out of their heads.

Makes you wonder what any self-respecting alien would think if they landed on the planet today. And what if they arrived during Red Nose Day? What description of humans would they take back to their home planet?

Off you go now and tease your hair, wear your crazy clothes, stick on your ears and put your hands in your pockets - Children in Need is almost here!