Boots goes bigger, bolder and brighter to raise £1 million for BBC Children in Need

Celebrations are officially in order for Boots UK and Boots Opticians! As their 2018 fundraising festivities for BBC Children in Need end on a high, dedicated colleagues, customers and patients from across the businesses celebrate raising an incredible £1 million.

2018 marks a momentous milestone for Boots UK. Not only is it celebrating a fantastic 15 years in partnership with BBC Children in Need, but even more Boots Opticians colleagues & practices are supporting the live-changing children’s charity than ever before.

And if this wasn’t exciting enough, 2018 also welcomes the return of Boots exclusive Go bright campaign. By inspiring the nation to use its love of beauty, Boots colleagues, customers and patients have gone bigger, bolder and brighter to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people, by helping to build their confidence and resilience.

Seb James, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Boots, said: “After 15 special years, our partnership with BBC Children in Need is stronger than ever. I am delighted that Boots is working with a charity that makes such an extraordinary difference to so many children right across the UK. This year, once again, our colleagues and customers have made it their mission to get involved, to go brighter than ever before, and to raise as much money as they possibly can. My sincere thanks to all of them for making 2018 another fantastic fundraising year”.

Getting into the ‘Go Bright’ spirit, Boots UK teamed up with a selection of brands to bring customers some brilliantly bold and beautiful looks at their exclusive Pudsey pop-up make-up spots and branded No7 counters. Colleagues also tried their own Go bright makeovers, braving neon nails, wacky wigs, glitter beards and colourful clothing in the run up to Appeal Day.

But the bright ideas didn’t stop there! Boots UK boosted its fundraising with the return of its annual Go bright fireworks night in Nottingham, where its explosive evening of fireworks, fun and festivities were enjoyed by The Greenway Centre - a Sneinton-based project supported by BBC Children in Need, which helps raise the aspirations of vulnerable children in the local community. Appeal Day then saw hundreds of colleagues capture ‘Boots Biggest Brightest Selfie’ - an enormous, mass selfie, as well as take part in an unmissable Mascot Race, bright bake-offs, Pudsey Bingo and penalty shoot-outs.

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “BBC Children in Need are incredibly grateful to everyone at Boots UK for their unwavering support during 2018, as well as throughout our 15 year partnership. As always, this year’s fantastic total will go on to make a lasting difference to children facing a range of disadvantages. Thank you”.

For almost 170 years, Boots has been putting the care of the community at the heart of everything it does, and this includes its special 15 year partnership with BBC Children in Need. Since 2004, Boots has raised a grand total of £12.5 million, which will continue to improve the lives of disadvantaged children in the communities where we live and work.

Here's what we got up to on Appeal Day: