EXCITEMENT about this Friday's Children in Need appeal is sweeping across South Lakeland as thousands of people raise money for the charity.

From enthusiastic cake bakers to supermarket colleagues and Kendal College hair and beauty students, young and old are doing their bit for the nationwide appeal.

This year's official Children in Need single - Wake Me Up by Gareth Malone's All Star Choir - is especially exciting for the youngsters, parents and carers who attend the monthly Sunbeams therapeutic music session in Kendal.

Funded by Children in Need, it is just one of 45 projects delivered by Sunbeams Music Trust to 1,458 disabled and disadvantaged children and adults across Cumbria every month.

Choir master Gareth Malone delighted families recently when he visited the Kendal session to record video footage and audio clips for the charity single, which features famous names such as comedian Jo Brand, Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood and Mel Giedroyc, of The Great British Bake Off.

The song is introduced by Oli Cunningham, eight, of Kendal, and he is among several local children who make appearances in the accompanying video. They include Iris Brooks, 13, whose sister Willow, nine, held a three-hour sponsored bake for Children in Need at her home in Oxenholme at the weekend.

With older sister Poppie, 15, reading out the ingredients, Willow succeeded in making Pudsey shortbread biscuits, fairy cakes, Victoria sponge cake, melting moments, muffins and cookies.

Around 50 people came along and helped raise £500. "It was fantastic," said mum Charlotte, thanking everybody who supported the event.

Meanwhile, this Friday, Pudsey Bear will be visiting ASDA in Kendal where checkout staff will don Pudsey ears and all-in-one pyjamas.

And kitchenware company Lakeland will be hosting a bake day at its Windermere store this Friday from 10am to 4pm with delicious cupcakes and a visit from Pudsey Bear.