YOUNGSTERS from South Bank in York raised more than £180 for the BBC’s Children In Need appeal, with the help of mascot Pudsey Bear.

Pudsey travelled from Doncaster to start an annual sponsored run around York’s racecourse involving around a dozen friends, most of whom attend nearby Knavesmire Primary School.

The children then held a party at St Chad’s Church Hall, in Campleshon Road, before collecting for the appeal at houses along Albemarle Road and Knavesmire Crescent.

Six-year-old Dec Dalgleish said: “We didn’t know Pudsey was coming, so that was a really good surprise.

“We all had fun and the most important thing was helping raise money for children who aren’t as lucky as we are.”

Organiser Jo Dalgleish, Dec’s mum, added: “The kids were fantastic. They all managed the run and then we went collecting for donations, in exchange for home-made buns and cakes they had helped make.

“We put leaflets through doors first so residents knew we were coming and everyone was very generous.”

Children taking part in the fundraiser included wheelchair-bound Max Parker, aged four, who has cerebral palsy and dystonia after being born 13 weeks prematurely.