Before this year’s charity appeal show, Tom Fletcher, best known as a McFly member, announced that he has collaborated with BBC Children in Need and publisher Puffin.
A “special collaboration” has been announced this week. It comes ahead of this year’s Children in Need appeal show in less than two months, with a host of celebrities expected to be involved in the televised fundraising event.
It has now been revealed that Tom Fletcher, 40, is teaming up with BBC Children in Need and publisher Puffin for the occasion. The McFly singer has written a new picture book, Pudsey and the Thread of Hope, that features illustrations by Joris Bergmans and is due to be released in November.
Tom, who has recently written numerous books for children, is backing Tom’s challenge yourself initiative. According to him, he accepted the challenge of producing “something truly special” and working on a story that “embodies the charity’s spirit and its iconic mascot.”
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His “magical and moving” new book is said to celebrate 40 years of Pudsey’s legacy as well as the charity’s “vital work supporting children and young people across the UK”. The BBC has shared that for every paperback sold in the UK and Ireland, £1 will be donated to Children in Need.
Jai, a young child who is grieving after his father’s passing, is followed by Pudsey and the Thread of Hope. Along with Pudsey, he is said to be on a “healing and hope” journey. They are introduced to other children who are connected by a “golden thread of kindness,” and they are soon taught the transformative power of friendship, courage, and love.
Tom said, “I was so enthralled to be asked to write this wonderful tale that depicts Pudsey and his wonderful qualities.” Without a resource to turn to, children and young people are facing impossible challenges across the UK.
The musician expressed hope that the project would raise money. He continued, “Everyone needs a thread of hope, and I hope that we can all raise money to support, connect, and care when it matters most,” with the help of this book.
According to Claire Hoyle, Chief Campaigns & Engagement Officer at BBC Children in Need, Pudsey has always been a child’s hope and resilience. The message of what we stand for is beautifully captured in Pudsey and the Thread of Hope: empowering children to feel heard, supported, and empowered. We’re delighted to see Pudsey’s story come to life in such a touching way.
Puffin’s publisher, Joe Marriott, stated, “Puffin is thrilled to be publishing this magical story from the imagination of cherished storyteller Tom Fletcher. We’re delighted to be sharing this heartwarming and upbeat tale while working with Tom to raise awareness of the wonderful and significant work that Children in Need do.
It isn’t the first time that Tom has collaborated with Children in Need. Last year, he designed the official t-shirt for the 2024 appeal with his wife Giovanna Fletcher, with the couple transforming the t-shirt into a “band-style tee”.
When Tom and Gi were asked to design the BBC Children In Need T-shirt for this year, they “jumped at the chance,” Tom said at the time. If we transformed the iconic Pudsey tee into a band-style tee honoring all the “best bits” of this amazing charity, it was so fun to reimagine what the iconic Pudsey tee might look like.
On November 6, Pudsey and the Thread of Hope will be available for pre-order. The appeals program for BBB Children in Need 2025 will then be broadcast on November 14.
Source: Mirror
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