GWENT came out in force to support Children in Need with a range of fundraising efforts having taken place across the area yesterday (Fri).

Schools and businesses dressed up, took on physical challenges, and even bathed in baked beans in aid of the annual charity appeal.

In Newport, Welsh tenor and BBC Radio Wales presenter Wynne Evans broadcasted his show live from Duffryn High School yesterday.

Presenting the Big Welsh Weekend show, Mr Evans interviewed the school’s eco committee and sports stars, as well as airing music from the students.

Pupils also held an obstacle course for Mr Evans to complete, with all events raising money for charity.

Jon Wilson, headteacher at Duffryn High, said: “It has been a fantastic day, packed full of fundraising events and activities.

“However, we must never forget the real message behind Children in Need: there are children everywhere living in very difficult circumstances that need our help - something we are very committed to in this school.”

Staff at Seren Fach Nursery in Newport raised money for Children in Need in a messier fashion: by spending eight hours immersed in baked beans.

Two managers at the nursery, on Caerleon Road, sat in a swimming pool filled with baked beans and tinned tomatoes from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Throughout the day, at the sound of a horn, different groups of children threw in extra ingredients, including scrambled egg, rice pudding, custard, and cream pies.

Staff and children at the nursery, aged up to five years old, also came dressed in their pyjamas and sold homemade Pudsey biscuits to raise extra cash for charity.

In Blaenau Gwent, all three of BG Life’s sports centres organised a treadmill marathon event in Abertillery, Ebbw Vale, and Tredegar.

At the Ebbw Vale centre, a number of volunteers ran or walked a mile on a treadmill to help raise money for Children in Need throughout the day.

Participants were driven on by gym instructor, Ian Williams, who was collecting on the day and many of those taking part got into the spirit of things by dressing up in fancy dress, including Batman, Superwoman, and Where’s Wally.

A spokesman for the Ebbw Vale gym said that the event had gone very well and that many members of staff had also dressed up for the occasion.

In Cwmbran, Building Blocks nursery in Croesyceiliog held a bake sale and a teddy bears' picnic.

The nursery raised £76 through the sale of cakes, Pudsey keyrings, and a competition where the children had to guess the name of an oversized teddy.

Rachel Jennings, manager of the nursery, said: “We do something similar every year and last year, the children dressed up as superheroes.

“We’ve all had a lovely day and we’re expecting to raise more money over the next few days.”

In Pontypool, fundraisers at Coleg Gwent raised £300 through a variety of activities.

Staff from the retail and business departments ran the event, which included games such as hoop the duck and the egg challenge.

Head of school Stuart Ford was put in the stocks and was the victim of pie throwing from students. There was also a bouncy castle and cake stalls present on the day.

At George Street Primary School in Pontypool, the children took over the running of the school for the day - manning the office and even leading some lessons.

All of the children came to school dressed up as their heroes, with Lionel Messi, Elvis, and Spiderman in attendance. And at Magor CIW Primary school in Monmouthshire raised £1,736.12 with a cake sale and several other events.

As the pictures show, a lot of effort was made across Gwent and all should be proud of their efforts.