What do a seven-foot-tall bunny rabbit, a man bathing in a tub of baked beans and a teacher wearing baggy trousers have in common?

The answer – they share one important goal of raising money for Children in Need.

The trio were among the hundreds of Hampshire residents who pulled together in a variety of wacky and wonderful ways this week, in an attempt to better the £1.3m raised across the south last year – and of course the £39m nationwide total.

James Hilling gathered around £900 from sponsors and advertisers by walking from his home in Sholing, Southampton, to his offices in the city centre every day this week – dressed in a white bunny costume.

“It’s been a phenomenal week,” he said. “We’ve had every type of weather, the rain, sleet, fog, but it’s been absolutely worth it.”

Lewis Ballard bathed in baked beans for two hours in Lymington’s Angel Courtyard, while Chalcroft Farm Shop in West End raised almost £500 by donating 50p from every 1lb of sausage meat sold this week.

Ten teams of drivers took part in a simulated 24-hour race at the Chandler’s Ford Race Centre, aiming to top the £10,000 they raised last year.

The centre also held an auction of Formula One memorabilia, signed by the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

Not to be outdone, St. Monica Junior School, in Sholing, Southampton, arranged numerous fund-raising activities, including fancy dress, face painting and a talent contest.

Headteacher Angela Paris said: “Our children have come into school looking great and we hope to raise about £400 for what is a very worthy cause.”

Watch a selection of the week’s fund raising events online at www.dailyecho.co.uk/video