GREAT Yarmouth is preparing to go potty for Pudsey next week as the annual BBC charity marathon gets under way next Friday.

Schoolchildren across the borough will be doing dotty things for the charity which has benefited many local good causes.

Legs are set to be waxed, heads shaved and fancy dress donned in offices, shops and village halls country-wide.

Among events being staged are:

A PUB running a range of entertainment for Children in Need is appealing for local acts and businesses to get involved in their fund-raising efforts. The landlords at The Quayside Tavern, on South Quay, will be hosting a variety of music and performance, and also getting stuck in themselves next Friday.

Those turning up on the free night will be able to enjoy the comedy of Steve Sumo, as well as the vocal talents of Gabby Starbuck.

And the evening might prove an interesting one for Roy Smith and his mum Janet, both of whom run the pub. Roy said: “I’m getting my legs waxed with a friend for charity and to be honest I’m a bit nervous about it. If we raise enough, Janet has also talked about getting her head shaved on the night too.”

The pair are hoping for sponsorship, as well as donations towards a raffle, and others raising money for the cause to do their fundraising activities on the evening, which runs from 7pm.

To get involved, contact Roy on 07971195171.

CHARITY, culture and entertainment will all come together thanks to a youth festival organised by local school pupils. Named This is England 2010, the event will be taking place at the Atlantis Arena in Great Yarmouth on Wednesday and will be raising money as part of Children in Need.

Running from 6-9pm, it is the culmination of the efforts of youngsters from Lynn Grove, Flegg and Caister high schools working alongside Cliff Park high as part of their diploma.

Those who pay the �3 entry will have the choice of unsigned music and dance acts, as well as a Guitar Hero game-off, a fashion show and drama workshop among other things.

To celebrate the multi-cultural nature of modern England, there will also be food from a range of nationalities on offer.

Nigel Cullen, head of arts at Cliff Park high, is overseeing the student lead effort. He said the festival was aimed at those aged between 13 and 18 years old, before adding: “They’ve been working on it since the beginning of October and it’s looking good at the moment.

“They’re trying to cater for most of the arts as best as possible, so people can come and enjoy themselves but also learn.”

Tickets can be bought from the Atlantis Arena and from the schools involved.

FUND-RAISERS and generous shoppers up and down the country can make donations in cash for Children in Need at neighbourhood stores with PayPoint. Up to 11pm on the night of the appeal show, and for several weeks afterwards, people will be able to use the PayPoint network, which can be identified by its distinctive yellow and purple sign.

It is located in thousands of independent retailers as well as the Co-op, Spar, McColls, Costcutter, Sainsburys Local, One Stop, Nisa and Londis chains throughout the UK.

Anyone looking for their nearest PayPoint outlet can find it at http://www.paypoint.co.uk/locator.aspx.

Don’t forget to share your fund-raising news and pictures with The Mercury. Contact our newslines on 01493 847953, 01493 847961, 01493 847959 or email anne.edwards@archant.co.uk