People across Bolton are getting involved with activities ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous to raise money for Children in Need.

The BBC’s charity telethon is now in its 28th year, and pop band McFly — including Bolton lad Danny Jones — will be performing the appeal’s official single.

The double A-sided single features Do Ya, from their album, Radio:ACTIVE, and a cover of Rod Stewart and The Faces’ ’70s hit Stay With Me.

Among the hundreds of Bolton people getting involved in Children in Need is Canon Slade pupil Andrew Bonnar.

Andrew, aged 11, is hoping to raise £500 by running 10 miles from the Royal Bolton Hospital children’s ward to the children’s ward at Fairfield Hospital in Bury.

He said: “I can’t believe how much money people have sponsored me for.”

KBL Solicitors in Mawdsley Street, Bolton, will be selling a large Pudsey cake baked by office manager Phyllis Templeman. She is also making chocolates, and staff will donate £1 to dress down.

Kwik Fit in Farnworth is donating £5 for every tyre fitted over the weekend, while Diane Brown and Dana Burns, nursery nurses at Rose Hill Nursery in Manchester Road, Burnden, sitting in a paddling pool full of custard for at least an hour.

Children and staff at Cherry Tree School, Farnworth, are wearing silly socks and wacky wigs, while the NHS Direct call centre at Middlebrook is holding a fun day.

Bolton Council is holding a Strictly Come Dancing event at the Festival Hall, and staff at Asda in Brackley Street, Farnworth, are having a pyjama party pub crawl.

Also in their pyjamas will be children at Heathfield Primary School in Henniker Road, Morris Green, and those at the Avondale short-break children’s home in Halliwell. Home manager Neil Haydock said he hoped to raise about £200.

Meanwhile, Bolton band, The Furs, will be playing Manchester’s giant snow dome, Chill Factore, in front of a crowd of specially nvited Children In Need fundraisers tonight.