KIDNAPPING, leg waxes and sitting in a bath of custard were among the escapades which helped Wiltshire people raise thousands of pounds for needy children last week.

The national total for the BBC's Children In Need appeal had topped £13m by 2am on Saturday, with many more donations piling in this week.

Schools, businesses and organisations across north and west Wiltshire took part in the fun.

Customer services managers Ben Newson and Mark Fuller, of Thomas Cook in Chippenham, underwent wax treatments, administered by beauty therapy students from Wiltshire College, in full view of shoppers.

Students at Lackham College flexed their muscles to pull a 6.5 tonne tractor for two miles around the college grounds in a bid to raise money.

The Outlaws line-dancing group from Trowbridge held a charity event at its meeting at Parochial School last Tuesday and raised £158.

Fire fighters from Trowbridge joined the fun, which included cakes, popular dancers and a guess who's inside the bear costume competition.

Wiltshire County Council employee Sarah Clarke surprised her colleagues when she turned up for work in full caving gear, raising more than £413.

She said: "I was overwhelmed by the response and would like to thank all those who contributed from the big sums right down to those who parted with their small change. It was people's reactions that made it so enjoyable. It just goes to show how much can be achieved from a simple idea."

Enterprising youngsters from the Court Mills Youth Centre in Trowbridge kidnapped Gordon Evans, head of Wiltshire's youth and community services and secured a ransom of £313 from other youth centres in the county.

Staff from Trowbridge Ambulance Station raised £2,010 through a collection in Fore Street while community warden Mavis Newman and chief executive Stewart Mountfield, of West Wiltshire Housing Society, braved the cold weather to share a custard bath outside the society's office in the town.

Fit 2 Perform gym in Warminster raised £1,500, including a 12 hour aerobathon, circuit straining and line prancing.

BBC Wiltshire Sound presenter James Harrison was joined by entertainers and fundraisers inside Asda in Trowbridge on the appeal night. Wiltshire radio listeners raised more than £60,394.

The winners of the Wiltshire Times Raise a Smile competition, Becky Bignold and Jade Whatley, both from Trowbridge, were also announced by editor Stephen White and presented with prizes for their paintings.

Tony Worgan, managing editor of BBC Wiltshire Sound, said: "Children in Need is a high point for our listeners and staff. It's a great opportunity for us to get involved with our community and raise money for lots of good causes at the same time."

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