PEOPLE across the district spent a day doing weird and wonderful things for the annual Children in Need appeal.

Young and old got into the spirit of the occasion and raised thousands of pounds.

Sporty staff at the Malvern hotel on Grovewood Road took to the saddle in a bid to complete a 15-hour cycleathon, raising just under £300.

At Arcos in Hatherton Lodge, Malvern, staff are running a quiz game with prizes donated by Malvern traders, which is going on to the end of the month. Anyone who wants to take part can visit the charity’s headquarters at the top of Avenue Road. The Foster Care Cooperative, Spring Lane North, raised £330 with a coffee morning, including tombola and raffle.

Meanwhile, Ali Hoare – a teaching assistant at Grove Primary School in Malvern – took a different approach to fund-raising by performing a headstand in front of the whole school. She collected £130 with her efforts.

Staff at Two Rivers Housing Association, which provides housing in the Newent area, raised more than £400 with development director Matt Hunt getting his legs waxed, while maintenance co-ordinator Chris Watkins had his chest waxed.

Other members of staff wore spotty clothing, sold cakes and collected in the street.

Pupils at Ann Cam CE Primary School in Dymock dressed in spots and dots in support of Pudsey Bear to raise cash.

Head Chris Ward said: “It was great to see the amount of effort and thought that every child made with their outfit. All children donated £1 in order to go dotty and they were so interested in assembly to hear how their money would be going to help children who need their support.”

Playstation day nursery in Ledbury raised £45 through selling rice crispy cakes covered in spots and donations from parents and staff.