Kind-hearted people across the county were hard at work doing their bit for the BBC's Children in Need appeal yesterday, writes Roseena Parveen.

A vast array of events, from street collections to sponsored haircuts, congas, bell-ringing and busking, took place in aid of the appeal.

Thousands of pounds were expected to be raised in Oxfordshire alone to help children who are deprived, abused or have disabilities.

In Oxford, staff from The George pub were outside stopping traffic on Botley Road to collect cash from drivers. Landlady Anne Power dressed as a chicken, barmaid Julie Nyman as a garden gnome and Linsey Power was a dinosaur for the day to attract motorists' attention.

Karate Students aged three to six from Botley Mini-Rangers were getting fit for the event with a sponsored circuit training session at SS Peter and Paul Church hall.

Boys at Moulsford Prep School, Moulsford, wore silly hats to perform a conga around their playground.

Holistic massages were on offer at The Old Bull pub, High Street, Burford, where qualified local practitioner Lucy Johnson volunteered her services in return for a donation. At Hagbourne Primary School's sponsored non-uniform day there were no less than three Harry Potter's including headteacher Richard Jones.

Mr Jones, who was wearing the obligatory round-rimmed spectacles and sporting Harry's distinctive scar on his forehead, said: "The children love the books."

Youngsters at Hagbourne School also boosted appeal funds by covering a map of the world painted on the playground with coins. They also painted pictures which were sold to parents.

Harwell Young Singers took part in BBC Radio Oxford's Children in Need programme and also put on a concert of church music and West End theatre songs at St Matthew's Church in the village. Staff and youngsters at Abacus Children's Care, the nursery for West Oxfordshire College, in Witney, kept their pyjamas on all day to raise money to help their peers.

In Wallingford, Rotary Club members collected from passers-by at Wallingford Bridge and in the town centre.

Firefighters in Bicester collected outside their station in Queens Avenue. Staff at Harwell International Business Centre sold bean-filled soft toys in aid of the appeal.

A Talent Extravaganza was held at King Alfred's School, Wantage, with proceeds from the show being donated.

Bicester Brownies endured a vow of silence for one hour at Langford Village Hall, Langford.

Charity shop worker Stephen Buckley, 36, of Bretch Hill, Banbury, has begun a 17-day sponsored silence in aid of the appeal.

Before starting he told the Oxford Mail: "I've never stayed silent for so long before. It should be interesting. But I'm not a very talkative person anyway so I should be OK." Sixth formers from King Alfred's Community and Sport College stopped traffic in Wantage and collected about 2,500 from motorists. Sixth form head, John Gale, said: "The idea was that people could not cross Wantage without giving money to Children In Need."

Afternoon shoppers were serenaded by young musicians during a fundraising busking session. About 20 youngsters played a mix of Jazz favourites outside WH Smith's store in Wallingford Street, Wantage. Fun-loving fundraisers in Oxfordshire are still busy raising cash today and well into the next week for this year's appeal.

Boys at Oxford Harlequins Rugby Football Club are today revealing their softer side to help children by having their legs and backs waxed at the club in Horspath Road, Oxford.

In Benson, scouts and guides collecting in the village square are holding a craft fair in the parish hall on November 26.

Students at Oxford College of Further Education in Oxpens will be abseiling down college buildings for the charity on November 27. To make a donation on the day call 0845 7332233.