At 6.15 Pause for Thought with Mary Steele.

Including the Children in Need auction of "things that money can't buy" at 8.00 with Paul Viney. And at 9.15 Pause for Thought with the Rev Paul Hulme.

Music and celebrity chat.

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

This year's appeal continues.

With Children in Need.

With Children in Need.
And at 1.30 Pause for
Thought with Vishvapani.

With Children in Need.
And at 3.30 Pause for
Thought with Vishvapani.