A MASSIVE £2,632.65p was raised for Children in Need at events around Sidmouth on Friday. From selling Pudsey biscuits to beard shaving, wearing nightclothes at school to fancy dress in the workplace, schools and organisations joined in the spirit of giving to help children throughout the UK

A MASSIVE £2,632.65p was raised for Children in Need at events around Sidmouth on Friday.

From selling Pudsey biscuits to beard shaving, wearing nightclothes at school to fancy dress in the workplace, schools and organisations joined in the spirit of giving to help children throughout the UK.

Bravest of all was Steve Critchlow, a day surgery nurse at Sidmouth Victoria Hospital, who allowed staff nurses Karen Hayes and Sue Down relieve him of the beard he has been attached to for 30 years.

A closer, wet shave, was entrusted to theatre nurse Gordon Bennett.

Steve, 51, said: I have had a beard since my university days. It was fine, there were no problems, but I will grow it back, starting today!"

Day surgery staff, the theatre team, admin staff, nursing, physio and hospital service staff joined in the fun wearing fancy dress to work and making and selling Pudsey biscuits and cakes.

Steve raised £172 for Children in Need and so far the hospital has collected £263.50.

Staff at East Devon District Council, who have, in the past two months, raised £1,800 for eight different charities, wore some unusual and interesting outfits on Friday and raised £240 for Children in Need.

There were plenty of laughs from staff at Sidmouth Garden Centre, who dressed up and collected £320 for the charity.

Owner Ian Barlow was Captain Jack's dad, manager James Trevett Edward Scissorhands and Edwina Bruford was Wonder Ween. Darren Knapman Gay Gordon, Jo Drake Cher and Jason Hales Britney Spears.

The centre's restaurant team collected a further £100 selling Pudsey biscuits.

Sidmouth schoolchildren did a great job on the day, mostly through selling Pudsey biscuits and cakes and by dressing up.

Sidmouth College sixthformers donned uniforms while the rest of the school wore home clothes, and canteen staff, led by manager Sue Perryman, sold around 600 biscuits made by assistant manager Jenny Patch, bringing the total raised to £540.45.

St Nicholas Junior Year Six pupils Adam, Hannah, and Will did a busy trade in biscuits and cakes and with collections for non-uniform day raised £400.

Head Paul Walker said: The children asked to do it and put a lot of effort into it. It was an enjoyable day and they enjoyed the staff dressing up."

Sidbury Primary wore scarves on Friday, raising £89, while Sidmouth Infants collected £56.03 selling biscuits.

All Saints Infants had a nightwear theme, with pupils and staff in pyjamas and dressing gowns. They too sold Pudsey biscuits and raised £120.

Last, but not least, a Mamma Mia themed 25th anniversary night at Sidmouth Sailing Club for Dave and Penny Maskell has raised £331.67 so far.

See more pictures in this week's Sidmouth Herald - out tomorrow!