Pudsey, the popular yellow bear that is the mascot for the BBC’s annual Children in Need appeal, has signed for the East London Vixens – well for one night only.
The colourful character joined the ladies rugby team at the Memorial Ground in West Ham, to film a 30-second TV advert trailer for this year’s nationwide appeal which takes place across the BBC network on Friday 15 November.
This is the 39th year of the popular appeal which over the years has raised more than £1 billion for disadvantaged children and young people. The theme this year is Get Together, encouraging people to fund raise together.
Scenes for the promotional trailer were filmed in the dressing room at the clubhouse and then Pudsey joined the Vixens for a game on the pitch.
"It is Children in Need after all so it couldn't be a normal game," said Vixens player Kat Salthouse. "We swapped the ball for a giant water melon which was great fun. We've shown just one madcap way of raising money and now we hope that everyone else will do the same.
"The BBC Children in Need appeal is a fantastic cause to get behind. We were honoured to take part and hopefully we have encouraged others to come together to do their bit."
You can see the Vixens in the BBC promotional trailer by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiOmlPyOXts and there is also a gallery of photographs on the East London RFC website at www.eastlondonrfc.com