ARMIES of fundraisers and volunteers from across Inverclyde are going potty for Pudsey ahead of the live Children In Need TV appeal tonight.

Staff from the RBS Mortgage Centre in Greenock are among those involved in money-spinning events for the cause, and a hardy group of around 170 will give up their free time tonight to answer calls and take pledges.

This is the 12th year local workers have volunteered for the BBC charity appeal.

In the run-up to Children In Need, mortgage centre staff have been hosting a week-long series of fundraisers.

Frances Campbell, team leader at RBS and member of the CIN committee, said: “It’s always a busy and exciting time and everyone likes to get involved because it’s so worthwhile and rewarding.

“The calls are all very pleasant and everything is now in place — we’re all set for it.” On Wednesday, the mortgage centre was a sea of yellow as staff all came to work dressed in Pudsey’s favourite colour of yellow.

They have organised events such as bake sales and raffles to win prizes – including an extra day off work.

So far they have raised in excess of £2,000, including a terrific £273 in spare change from a bucket collection by Pudsey.

Frances said: “We’ve been doing lots in the lead-up to it.

“We’ll also have a raffle for volunteers tonight.

“There will be around 170 people who will give up their time to take pledges over the telephone and we’ll be doing fun things to keep them going throughout the night.

“Most of them will be working during the day then carry on into the night volunteering.

“It’s been going really, really well.

“We have a Children In Need committee and there’s a lot of hard work that goes in from a lot of people.” Events have also been taking place at schools and workplaces across Inverclyde to boost the appeal.

Children In Need starts at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Find out how to donate online at www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk