A FUNDRAISING bug swept across Suffolk today as the county got into fundraising overdrive for Children In Need.Thousands of people have been performing various acts of good will to raise money for the annual bumper charity drive.

A FUNDRAISING bug swept across Suffolk today as the county got into fundraising overdrive for Children In Need.

Thousands of people have been performing various acts of good will to raise money for the annual bumper charity drive.

Today, a battle is commencing between staff at Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council and Customer Service Direct, in an attempt to discover the best fundraiser.

The fun will see staff compete in fairground style activates such as a tug-of-war and hula hooping.

Michael Gray, management trainee at Suffolk County Council and organiser of the Children In Need event, said: 'The Healthy Ambitions Suffolk fairground will encourage staff to donate to Children In Need whilst partaking in simple healthy activities such as hula hooping, dancing and even having a go on a smoothie-making bike!'

Two brave bus drivers from Ipswich have managed to raise more than �200 in sponsorship after agreeing to shed their body hair.

Bus driver Mick Finch will be waxing his chest for charity, while colleague Ivan Smith has offered to shave off his 20-year-old moustache.

Meanwhile, children of the Copdock Riding Centre organised a day of display riding and jumping activates, where they raised hundreds of pounds for the charity.

Schools across Suffolk have been hosting Pudsey Bear events to raise the vital funds for the nationwide charity.

At Broke Hall Primary School in Ipswich, staff and pupils dressed up in spotty clothes and had a Pudsey Bear

Headteacher Richard Griffiths said: 'We had lots of Pudsey related events going on throughout the day - from cake sales and fancy dress, to a special Pudsey Bear picnic and errand running.

'The children have organised everything and I'm so proud of them - children are very inventive and they've taken the lead on this, we hope to raise a good amount of money.'

At Saint Felix's Junior School in Southwold, pupils got into the Pudsey spirit by weary spotty clothing - raising over �70.

Four-year-old Jack Wilmot from the Reception class even went as far to dress up as the Children in Need mascot, Pudsey Bear - complete with furry suit and teddy bear ears.

Deputy Head of Castle Hill Primary School in Ipswich, Eileen Allpress, went to school in her pyjamas - along with the rest of the schools staff and pupils.

The dress down day raised over �150.

And generous customers at Notcutts in Woodbridge have managed to raise more than �900 after buying a selection of hot food at two recent Sage Privilege Club evenings.

Staff and fitness enthusiasts at the Fitness Unit in Ipswich are also raising money for the children's charity by hosting a men's lap dancing class.

Tonight, men will be learning the exotic moves while women donate a minimum of �10 to watch.

To donate money to Children in Need visit www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/donate