As wacky fund-raisers gear up for their latest charity exploits, one family is testament to Children in Need's power to change lives for the better.
The BBC appeal has awarded more than £1,515,000 to 36 projects working with children and young people across Leicestershire in the past year.
For Jilly Humphry, of Saffron Lane, Leicester, the £9,000 given to a "buddy" scheme run by disability charity Menphys, is worth every penny.
Jilly and her daughter Lily, three, are among those who have benefited from the service, which provides carers to accompany and supervise disabled youngsters in activities of their choice.
"It's been an absolute godsend for us," said Jilly, whose daughter was born with Down's syndrome and has other complex health problems such as heart and respiratory problems and speech and hearing difficulties.
"Lily loves attending her nursery at Pindar Road, New Parks. During term-time she has a support worker paid for by the city council. That stops between terms but, thanks to the buddy, she was able to continue this summer.
"Mixing with other able children of the same age has been very important.
"Her speech has improved no end and it has motivated her to try to walk. In fact, she took her first few steps only this September.
"Without this support I have no doubt she would have regressed and not made the fantastic progress she has."
Thanks to Children in Need, Menphys has extended the scheme from 25 to 30 families, each given a buddy for up to 80 hours each year.
Peter Coopey, chairman of Menphys Sport, Play and Leisure, said: "Flexibility is key, allowing youngsters such as Lily to attend nursery or someone to accompany a teenager to a gym.
"Children in Need has been pivotal."
Goldhill Play Association, which runs an adventure playground on the Saffron Lane estate, was awarded £27,669 last year.
It has been used to fund an art worker for the next three years, running activities for 266 children, including 75 with special needs.
Nick Deacon, from Eyres Monsell, whose son Callum, 13, has autism, said: "He loves painting, it's given him a new way of expressing himself.
"Because of his condition, it's difficult to organise the same thing at home, which has also resulted in his 11-year-old sister Abigail missing out.
"This way, they can join in and have fun together."
Max Hiley, special needs co-ordinator for Goldhill, said the service costs £160,000 a year to run.
Sarah Monteith, the appeal's director of marketing and fund-raising, said: "It is really important that everyone sees their fund-raising and donations working in their local area."
Other causes receiving funding include Faith in People With HIV, a city project helping children affected by the virus; Leicester's Laura Centre, supporting bereaved children and families, and the Speakeasy Theatre Company, off Saffron Lane, for young disabled people.
This year's Children in Need appeal is on November 16. To tell us about your fund-raising antics, e-mail:
newsdesk@leicester mercury.co.uk
