Local BBC raises nearly £20k

BBC Radio Shetland’s Children in Need efforts have raised over £19,000 so far this year with money still coming in.

Station chief John Johnston said staff at Pitt Lane were very pleased with how things had gone and said more than £40,000 was coming back to Shetland to support projects including the local befriending scheme and welfare grants. The befriending scheme is set to receive £108,000 over three years.

Friday night’s auction of items brought in £9,000, while schools across Shetland raised thousands of pounds by hosting various events including bring-and-buy sales and teddy bear’s picnics.

“It’s an amazing total and we’d like to thank everybody who donated items for the auctions, businesses and individuals who made donations and bid on our auctions,” John said. “Now we’re encouraging groups and charities to get in touch with Children in Need and apply for grants to help the organisations.”