[November 23, 2009] BT: GBP20.3m raised by BBC Children In Need so far Tweet Nov 23, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- More than GBP20,309,747 had been raised for BBC Children in Need 2009 by 2am - and millions more is expected over the coming weeks and months as the public send in all the cash they've raised at fundraising events across the UK. BT handled 210,242 calls from viewers across the country during the telethon. BT also helped BBC Children in Need take GBP9,192,016 in online donations. This year for the first time BT's charity online giving platform, the eDonate platform, was used by all 52 call centres to record and process pledges made in support of BBC Children in Need. The eDonate platform has now processed GBP105.7 million donations which have been banked by charities supported by BT since it was introduced in 2002. During the BBC One show, there was a live broadcast from the 34th floor of BT Tower where the largest of the telethon's call centres was hosted. Singer Peter Andre and members of the Eastenders cast joined the hundreds of volunteers at the top of BT Tower. BT's Steve Smith manages the eDonate platform. He also appeared on the show, interviewed by Peter Andre. He said: "At peak times, the BT network was handling more than 58 calls every second! More than 5,000 volunteers in 52 call centres across the UK manned the phone lines, answering well in excess of 210,000 calls." BT also used the LED display at the BT Tower in London to profile the BBC Children in Need appeal with an animation of Pudsey Bear and the donation line number - 0345 733 2233. BT has supported BBC Children in Need since the first telethon in 1980 and continues to provide support including; telephony, network management, call centres, volunteers and online support. Coverage of the Children In Need 2009 appeal was co-hosted by Sir Terry Wogan, Alesha Dixon and Tess Daly in a seven-hour broadcasting marathon, the BBC's biggest broadcasting event which links BBC centres all over the country. Every year, thanks to the public donations and the amazing efforts of fundraisers, schools, businesses and our corporate partners, BBC Children in Need is able to provide support to thousands of youngsters aged 18 and under. BBC Children in Need provides this support in the form of grants to organisations working with children who have mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioural or psychological disorders; are living in poverty or situations of deprivation; or suffering through distress, abuse or neglect. Don't forget, the donation lines are still open on 0345 733 2233 or visit www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey. ENDS For further media information please contact Victoria Webster or Justin McKeown at Trimedia on 0771 554 5973 or [email protected] About BT BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale. In the year ended 31 March 2009, BT Group's revenue was GBP21,390 million. British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]