CHILDREN in Need was a family affair for an avid group of fundraisers, who rallied support for the BBC charity effort across their village.

A three-week fundraising effort by the Perks family, of Coxhoe, County Durham, began with a remark by 12-year-old daughter Joanna, on her return from Sedgefield Community College one evening.

Her mother, Amanda, said: "She came in and said she wanted to help out Children in Need. They were already doing something at school and she wanted to do something in the village."

Mrs Perks and husband John took the suggestion on board, resulting in them staging a series of events in Coxhoe.

Events included a sponsored walk round the village, a fancy dress disco, a fireworks display, a leg-waxing stunt, a Christmas party and a pop quiz.

Even two-year-old son Jonathon took part, being pushed in his buggy around Coxhoe as a junior Pudsey bear.

Most events were held at the Red Lion pub, where the Perks are friendly with many of the regulars.

The disco was staged at the village workingmen's club.

Amanda has now spent the past fortnight gathering in sponsorship money.

The culmination of their efforts, a cheque for almost £1,000, was presented to village sub-postmaster Nick Jackson, at the Red Lion at the weekend.

He will ensure that the donation is sent to the BBC to add to the Children in Need tally.

Mrs Perks said: "It has been a hectic time lately. It has probably all taken place, from start to finish, in under three weeks, but we've had lots of support from some of the crowd at the Red Lion."

She said the family appeared to have the fundraising bug now, because her husband is considering a charity parachute jump next year.