PEOPLE in Andover dug deep into their pockets to raise money for Children in Need. Businesses, schools and organisations all came up with ideas to support the charity and the town raised thousands of pounds for the cause. Staff at HSBC Bank raised £2,165 with a number of events, including a sponsored weight loss and a raffle. Staff member Peter Askew also dressed as Pudsey for the day and collected money in a bucket. Students at Cricklade College raised £1,614.45 with various activities, bringing their total raised since 1994 to £9,140.93. The Station Hotel raised more than £1,500 with a 24 hour pool marathon involving the Andover Pool Association and their regulars. Rail technician Bob Clarke, of Stannah Lifts, raised around £650 with a sponsored head shave. Staff at the Halifax Building Society wore fancy dress and collected £675 while Woolworths employee Dawn Horsewell raised £52.11, with the store making the total up to £100 for the charity. Staff at the Newbury Building Society in Whitchurch raised £169.06 with a teddy bear's picnic and wishing well in their window, selling cakes and cookies and holding a bear competition. Pudsey Bear visited the Clere School in Burghclere with his collecting bucket, overseeing the activities organised by pupils as they raised a total of £370. Year nine pupil Laura Anderson organised a disco at Winton School which raised around £750. Pupils at Andover C of E Primary School raised £101.75 by placing coins on Pudsey the Bear and youngsters at Longparish Playgroup raised £25 by making and selling biscuits. Anna Valley Post Office and Stores, in conjunction with bakery suppliers Country Choice, are donating 40p from every large harvest grain loaf and bloomer loaf sold this week to Children in Need. Nationally, the total raised on the night was £12,895,853 with the final total still to be announced.