Schools and community groups across the district clubbed together to “do something different” and raise funds for the annual Children in Need event.

First year health care trainees at Airedale General Hospital spent their lunch hour dressed as Disney characters collecting for the charity and visiting the children’s ward.

Claire Walsh, 17, was dressed as Alice in Wonderland’s Queen of Hearts.

She said: “We’ve all organised it together and came up with the idea of Disney characters.

“We are collecting in different wards and going to see the children.”

Sophie Clarkson, 17, dressed as Minnie Mouse, said: “Working in the hospital we see children who are ill and suffering and we want to help Children in Need because it is a great charity.”

Children, aged two to four, at Harden Pre-school, Wilsden Road, Harden, came to school in fancy dress.

Manager Suzanne Fletcher said: “We’ve got a little dinosaur, some princesses and two racing cars.

“They’ve all brought money in and donated to Children in Need.

“We’ve talked to the children about what the day is about and how some children don’t have enough food, clothes or toys.”

And the children at Priesthorpe Primary School, Mornington Road, Bingley, had a spotty themed dress code yesterday and each class carried out its own activities, which involved learning about what Children in Need does for disadvantaged children.

Learning mentor at the school Pam Keighley said: “Each class is discussing where the money goes. In Year One we have been looking at the Children in Need website, talking about it all morning and explaining what it’s all about.

“They’ve put in a pound each so we should raise a lot of money.

Beth Meer, aged ten, who was wearing spotty pyjamas, said: “It’s been good coming to school in my pyjamas.

“I know it is about raising money for children and that’s a good thing to do.”

At Low Ash Primary School, Wrose Road, Wrose, Shipley, each year group had organised a different activity.

Reception class children came to school in their pyjamas and Year Six pupils braved the rain to wash cars in the school car park.

Teacher Lynette Cooper said: “They’ve given a donation to come in and do this. And Year Six were prepared for the rain, they know it is an important cause. They are all really happy to know they are helping other children. And the staff have been getting involved too.”

The Girls’ Grammar School, Bradford, created a giant art attack-style collage of Pudsey Bear, made from school uniforms, on the floor of the school’s atrium.

It was a poignant day for the school, as the girls dedicated their creation to design and technology teacher Brian Fairburn, who died in a motorcycle accident two weeks ago.

School president Phoebe McDowell said: “He was involved with Children in Need every year and this is in memory of him.

“The idea for the collage came from the sixth form committee and we went into assembly to tell the younger children what it’s about.”

Children aged three to five washed cars at the Children’s Place nursery school in Barkerend.

Nursery manager Shelley Wilkinson said: “We work quite closely with Byron Primary School next door so we thought it would be nice to wash the cars of the people at the school.

“The children have also been baking buns to sell and making play-dough.

“We always do things for Children in Need and we try to explain it to the children as best we can.”

Shipley Golf Club got into the swing of things with competitions, raffles and auctions in an event expected to raise thousands of pounds.

Club captain Jimmy Greaves said: “We regularly hold fund raising events for local charities, but our Children In Need event is always our largest and biggest fund raiser.

“We are very lucky to have incredibly generous members at the club and they are all hugely supportive, despite the current challenging economic climate.”

Children in Need has raised more than £500 million since 1980.

To donate visit bbc.co.uk/ pudsey/donate.