Little Gransden Air and Car Show fundraising for Children in Need

This year’s event was held in August and raised £20,000, making it the highest fundraiser in the East of England for the annual appeal.  

In a video aired on BBC Children in Need on Friday night, Dave Polie MBE reflected on the very first air show in 1992 where it rained all day and only raised £7.  

"… there was no flying whatsoever...,” he said.  

“... But I think the determination was still there.  

“Speaking to Children in Need afterwards they said you don’t have to have [the event] in November, you can have it any time of the year. 

“So it just went from there really.” 

Dave was originally inspired to organise the first event when his daughter was in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, when Children in Need was on television.  

This year, around 5,000 people attended the 30th anniversary show.  

There was three-and-a half hours of aircraft flying as well as 300 classic, custom and military vehicles on display.  

The Global Stars aerobatic team, a Lancaster bomber, a spitfire and World War Two warbirds were among the various aircraft and performances that took to the skies.  

Organisers even managed to secure an Aurora flypast from the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Mark Jefferies, a pilot who owns the air field where the event is held, said: “When the public come here, the airfield is covered with 5,000 people and they have a good day...” 

As well as Children in Need, funds are also raised for local charities, groups and schools within a five-mile radius of the event.  

Mark added: “The whole committee, and myself and Dave, we feel extremely proud to be able to do this and will continue to do it in the future.”  

Dave, event organiser Pip Shoobert, and Mark visited BBC Radio Cambridgeshire to present the cheque to presenter Amir Suleman.  

Next year’s Little Gransden Air and Car Show will be held on August 27, 2023.  

So far, Children in Need 2022 has raised £35 million for good causes across the country.