BBC's Children in Need appeal raises £ 19 mn

LONDON: The BBC's annual Children in Need charity appeal raised more than 19 million pounds, a record, as it celebrated its 28th year, the broadcaster said on Saturday.   

Friday night's seven-hour television show, the corporation's biggest broadcasting event, was presented by Terry Wogan and featured performances from the newly reformed Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue and the Sugababes, among others.   

The BBC said the highlight was a cover of the song 'All That Jazz' from hit musical 'Chicago' performed by its newsreaders, Fiona Bruce, Bill Turnbull, Nicholas Owen, Ben Brown, Dermot Murnaghan, and Andrew Marr.   

"We are overwhelmed by the response of the British public tonight and want to say a big thank you to all those who donated," said Children in Need Chief Executive David Ramsden.  

 "Even more money will pour in over the weeks and months ahead and we will now be looking for great projects around the UK that can make a real difference to young lives."