YOUNGSTERS swam, ran, dance and drew to raise money for children in need.

Wacky fundraisers were staged at schools, clubs and nurseries to help raise money for the serious business of helping others.

Swimmers at First Strokes Swim School, based in London Road, Colchester, paid £1 to swap their swimsuits for PJs.

Kylie Hockley, centre manager, said: “All week the children at our various centres have been swimming in their pyjamas. We also added a life-saving element to the classes.

“Children at our Stanway centre have also been invited to help decorate our Christmas tree.”

Pupils at Harwich Community Primary School, in Dovercourt, dressed up by adding colourful dots to their tops as part of their fundraising efforts for the charity.

Other children dressed in Pudsey bear costumes, and others painted their faces as the bear.

And Pudsey bear masks and drawings were on show as children at Langham Pre-School supported Children in Need.

The pupils paid a donation to wear their pyjamas and onesies to school and took part in cake baking.

Melanie Everett, the manager at the school, said: “Every year we help support this event. It’s a fantastic feeling to know we’re helping raise money for disadvantaged children and young people.”

Children in Need saw recordbreaking results with £50.1million being raised for disadvantaged young people across the country.

See more pictures in Monday's Gazette.