Britain's banks support Children in Need

Banks and branches across the nation are not just collecting and counting the cash for Children in Need but getting in on the action themselves with events and activities nationwide.

As well as making it as easy as possible for people to donate through their branches, bank staff are also doing their bit to raise a bit of money for this most worthy of causes. Reports are coming in of sponsored cake and toy sales, raffles, wear-your-pyjamas-to-work days and even sponsored chest waxes.

In Snow Hill, Birmingham, 200 Barclays staff have volunteered to take pledges and donations on the phone through the night. HSBC staff will be tonight's official counters for the BBC in York.

At the British Bankers' Association, staff are also doing their bit by holding a "Bring and Buy" cake sale to raise pennies for Pudsey.

BBA chief executive Angela Knight said: "The BBA has a long association with Children in Need as we co-ordinate the back-office support needed to bring the banks together on the day.

"Banks regularly top the lists of organisations giving to charity and staff freely give their time to help local and national causes. Their commitment to charity is year-long - but this is always a very special day in the banking calendar."

Follow the BBA today on Twitter at twitter.com/britishbankers