Throwing out a rowing challenge for Children in Need are Ivor Nightingale, left, in the Gym at Welti Health and Fitness Centre, with club members, from left, Phil Johnston, Steve Crampton, Stuart Edwards and fitness coach Katie Chambers.

Mr Nightingale hopes to row an equivalent distance of 500 metres in “about two minutes” at midday on Friday and any challengers who don’t beat his time will be asked to pay £1 towards the appeal.

He said: “Even though I have never rowed on water I believe that my time will be difficult to beat – even for seasoned rowers.”

The centre in Sundorne will be open to rowing challengers until lunchtime on Friday.

Personal trainer Katie Chambers said: “Ivor may not be your typical honed athlete, but I think his rowing technique, speed and determination will surprise quite a few people and hopefully raise plenty of money for Children in Need.”

Ivor has been training with fellow club members Phil Johnston, Steve Crampton, Stuart Edwards and Katie Chambers. For more information call Welti Health & Fitness on (01743) 467755.

In Oswestry, Pudsey bear visited youngsters at Woodside Primary School armed with a supply of Children In Need-themed biscuits to dish out on Monday. The appeal mascot was joined by staff from Greggs bakery in the town. Staff donned their fancy dress outfits and baked the biscuits.

In Telford Shopping Centre, BBC Radio Shropshire is due to host a huge street dancing workshop for people of all ages tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the Leek United Building Society’s Market Drayton branch will be holding money raising events for Children in Need including dressing up as robbers.

Four local lads will have their legs waxed for the charity at The Talbot Inn, in Much Wenlock, on Sunday.

There will also be a raffle with prizes donated from some of the businesses in the town. BT’s customer experience management centre in Oswestry said it was ready to make sure the BT network copes smoothly with an extra quarter of a million calls on BBC’s Children in Need night.

CEMC head Barbara McNally-Young said: “It’s going to be a busy weekend. We’re gearing up for an extra 250,000 calls during the telethon, which is broadcast from 7pm on Friday into the early hours of Saturday – and then we’ll be taking calls for Strictly Come Dancing and the X Factor on Saturday and Sunday.”

By Tom Johannsen and Russell Roberts