Plymouth boy performs 12-hour drumathon for Children in Need

People from Devon and Cornwall have been taking on challenges across the region to raise funds for BBC Children in Need.

The charity aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

One pupil from a school in Devon is taking part in a drumathon, consisting of 12 hours of continuous drumming.

Alfie, 10, from Plymouth, started playing to fellow pupils from 08:30 GMT.

His mum Karen said: “I’m so excited for him because it’s something he’s wanted to do for a long time – I hope he does really well.

“Even before we got him a drum kit, he was always drumming, whether at a dinner table or anywhere, he was always tapping his feet and hands.”

Music groups including the Plymouth City Brass group are also taking part to support Alfie with fundraising.

His school said Alfie was a “very talented and determined” pupil, with a concert due to take place later.

“He is about to undertake his grade eight drumming exam and wanted to raise money for Children in Need in a unique way,” it said.

Earlier this month, a team from BBC Cornwall and BBC Devon completed a 24-mile (39km) swimming challenge in aid of Children in Need.

Teams from every BBC local radio station swam a total of 1,000 miles (1,609km) to raise money for the charity.

Cornwall’s team of Julie Skentelbery, Hannah Stacey, David Dixon, Lou Symons, Daphne Skinnard and Francesca Carpenter, took to pools right across the county.

Devon’s team of five, Caroline Densley, James Vickery, Charlotte Cory, Lucy Bolt and Caroline Adams also began their swim on 4 November, with both teams completing the distance within four days.

To mark Children in Need day, pupils from Perranporth Primary School took part in a “PerranPudsey” run in their pyjamas.

Headteacher Alister Johnson said: “All the children will be doing a very exciting fun run around our school field.

“They’ve all been sponsored and raised a huge amount of money – almost £4,000.”