Pudsey Bear has been given an early boost in Wrexham.
Staff from the Frankie and Benny’s restaurant chain have already been raising a heap of cash at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre.
The restaurant chain is aiming to raise a massive £100,000 nationally before the BBC’s main Children in Need telethon on Friday night.
Marketing manager Tara Cunningham is looking forward to presenting a huge cheque live on Friday’s TV marathon and hopes it will be for the full amount.
Tara said: “Here, in Wrexham, the fund-raising has been going exceptionally well. Staff laid on a charity breakfast with all proceeds going to the appeal and we did a special Halloween fund-raising night too.
“And on Friday, which is Children in Need day, kids eat for free provided a donation is made to the appeal.”
She added: “We have set a target of raising £5,000 in Wrexham before the weekend is over and we have a stall out in Eagles Meadow from which we are selling charity Christmas decorations, running games, holding raffles and selling delicious cup cakes.
“The response from Wrexham shoppers, here at Eagles Meadow, has been simply amazing and I’m sure we can reach our target. The stall will be in operation on Children in Need Day on Friday and also on Saturday.
“I would ask people to be generous and help us reach our target. Pudsey Bear needs our help!”
Emma Wilson, who works as Christmas co-ordinator at the Eagles Meadow restaurant as well as its sister Plas Coch eatery, personally made the Pudsey cup cakes which are on sale at the stall.
She said: “I started my own little business, Em2cakes, which I run from home. I was delighted to be able to help the fund-raising efforts of my Frankie & Benny’s employer and hope I’ll be very busy baking thousands more cup cakes between now and the weekend!
“Every little helps and if we are to reach our fund-raising target we need the support of our customers and shoppers here at Eagles Meadow.”
Also helping out on the charity stall is manager of the Frankie & Benny’s Plas Coch restaurant, Laura Clark, whop says she is amazed at the generosity of shoppers at Eagles Meadow.
She said: “It has been brilliant and I’m sure we will be really busy over the weekend. The Pudsey cup cakes are going really well and with a bit of luck we can help Frankie & Benny’s reach our massive £100,000 national target.”
