This evening Radio 2 launches its annual 24-hour music marathon. The event continues until 7pm tomorrow, when BBC Television's own Children in Need appeal begins. Tonight, listeners can phone in with a record request and pledge a donation, starting with: Jonathan Ross
Ross is first off with Radio 2's Children in Need appeal.

Our children need you: page 11; Pop goes Pudsey: page 22; Cher Questionnaire: page 24; Health: page 28; Terry Wogan's Kind of Day: page 146

BBC Children in Need 7.00pm R2
The normal Radio 2 schedule is thrown away tonight to bring listeners this marathon curtain-raiser for Children in Need, which ends 24 hours later when the Radio 2 cheque is presented at the start of BBC Television's event. The usual chaos prevails at the time of writing, so I have no details as to presenters, guests, stunts and so forth. But this is chaos in a good cause so expect plenty of fun and games, both on the show and via the website at [web address removed]. Peter Barnard