Cakes will be baked, faces painted and chests will be waxed, while others will be donning fancy dress and wearing something spotty as they put the fun into fund-raising.

Lowestoft Journal: A scene from a Children in Need event at Gunton Primary Academy in Lowestoft last year. Pictures; MICK HOWESA scene from a Children in Need event at Gunton Primary Academy in Lowestoft last year. Pictures; MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

Hundreds of people across Waveney will be doing their bit for charity on Friday and Saturday as they join tens of thousands of fund-raisers across the country in a nationwide effort in support of the annual Children in Need appeal.

From themed lunches, competitions, sales, a family play session and a mad hair day, to non-uniform events featuring spotty outfits, onesies and pyjamas as they're worn at schools across town, youngsters will enter into the spirit of this fun event – all for a donation to Children in Need.

The national fund-raising drive will reach its peak on Friday evening during a star-studded telethon on BBC One, from 7.30pm.

In Lowestoft, a non-uniform day, themed lunch and fun activities are planned at Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy, while pupils at Red Oak Primary School are supporting Children in Need by holding a Mad Hair Day.

A Children in Need themed day is being held at Ormiston Denes Academy in Lowestoft, while a non-uniform 'wear something spotty' day is being held at Dell Primary School, and youngsters are able to dress in 'spots, pyjamas or as a superhero' at Grove Primary School in Carlton Colville.

Pupils at Pakefield Primary school are being encouraged to wear something spotty for a voluntary donation, while Gunton Primary Academy – having raised thousands of pounds for the Children in Need charity over the years – are inviting children to come to school dressed in their favourite pyjamas or onesie for a suggested donation. A bake sale and Children in Need fair is also being held at the school.

At Kessingland Church of England Primary Academy, a Great Bake Off house competition is being held, while children at Blundeston Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School and Somerleyton Primary School are both backing the spot-acular theme – by wearing something spotty.

Also on Friday, members of staff at a Lowestoft opticians will be putting their pain threshold to the test – as they raise money for Children in Need.

Male employees at the Specsavers store in London Road North are volunteering to have their chest and leg hair waxed for the charity.

'Children in Need is obviously a massive charity and we saw it as a great opportunity do so something fun to raise money,' said Lowestoft store director, David Holcombe.

'There are some exceptional people who work at Children in Need who sacrifice a lot of time and effort to support the most vulnerable people in our country. If they can make such huge sacrifices, then we thought sacrificing a little bit of chest and leg hair is the least we can do. We'd love everyone to come and join us in supporting this fantastic cause.'

Lowestoft Library are hosting events on Friday and Saturday. A Pudsey's family play session will be held on Friday, November 18 from 10am to 11.30am. During the library's normal family play session everyone will be raising money for Children in Need. As well as the usual crafts, there will be face-painting and a visit from the Bookstart Bear – a distant cousin of Pudsey.

Lowestoft Library is also holding a Pudsey's crafty Saturday event on November 19, from 10am to 1pm. Children and families are encouraged to come along for a fun Pudsey-themed craft session, with a chance to donate to Children in Need.

? Are you doing something for Children in Need? Send details to mark.boggis@archant.co.uk