Schools, businesses and individuals have downed tools to raise cash for the popular BBC children's appeal in the hope of beating last year's total of £37 million.

Kicking off events today were Calderdale College students at North Halifax Skills Centre, Club Lane, Ovenden, Halifax.

Construction students challenged themselves to build a 2m by 15m, 4,000-brick wall in 10 hours while wearing fancy dress.

And hair and beauty pupils armed themselves with hairspray and lipgloss for a 60 Minute Makeover Challenge.

Inspiring people to give generously were pyjama-clad Kimberley Sykes and Leanne Townend, of Co-op Travel, Princess Street, Halifax, who used public transport to visit as many Co-op stores in the county as possible.

Jackie Ledgister, Sarah Brown, Theresa Sheils and Neil Dear dressed as Cinderella, Prince Charming and her Ugly Sisters, served customers at Baguette Express, Market Street.

Theresa said: "Everyone has been laughing at us."

Shirts and ties were swapped for superhero costumes at St Augustine's Junior and Infant School, Halifax.

Ayesha Hameed, 10, dressed as Catwoman. She said: "I made my own mask at school using glitter paint for ears and paper for whiskers. The atmosphere at school during Children In Need is so exciting. We're doing it because many children don't have many clothes or money, and we should be grateful."

Kiall Richardson, 10, was Batman. He said: "Most of the muscles are mine!"

And at Lee Mount Primary School, Halifax, silly hats were worn with pride.

Head teacher David Bosley said: "The hats are very amusing and creative."

The winner was five-year-old Caitlin Greaves.

At J & C Joel, Sowerby Bridge, 30 wokers were disguised as Amy Winehouse, Little Britain's Andy and Lou, Darth Vader and Land Girls, among others.

Managing director Andrew Walsh dressed as a hippy.

He said: "Children In Need has brought everyone together with a real sense of team spirit. A lot of thought has gone into the costumes this year."

Mad-cap events at Ryburn Valley High School included two students chaining themselves together for the day, plus daring Bushtucker Trials.

Pudsey Bear himself would have been proud of children at the Jubilee Children's Centre, Lightowler Road, Halifax, who wore odd shoes and daft hats.

Senior nursing officer, Lorna Millington, said: "The children know they are doing it for others who may be poorly.

"But we are keeping it fun, singing and dancing, making chocolate crispies, eating buns and fruit kebabs. We've been making hats with card and glitter."

Disney inspired nine pupils from the Compass Unit at The Ridings School, Ovenden, to tackle circuit training dressed as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfes.

Natasha Rice, 15, was Snow White.

She said: "We wanted to do this for children just like us."

It was a case of I'm a Student Get Me Out of Here, as Emily Mallinson, Jade Midgely and Matthew Watson braved Bushtucker Trials and Georgina Pearson and Jodie Carter were sponsored to chain themselves together for the day.

Youngsters rolled out of bed and into Elland Church of England Junior School and the Innovations Children's Centre, Cousin Lane, Halifax, where they wore pyjamas.

Halifax Round Table members rattled collection buckets at commuters at Hipperholme traffic lights.

Hotel staff in Clifton have completed a week-long, 208-mile charity walk - without ever setting out of the gym.

Fifteen employees from the Holiday Inn Leeds-Brighouse followed a virtual route from the BBC Television Centre in London to Clifton on a treadmill to raise money.