Picture shows Derek McCulloch - 'Uncle Mac'.
The first charity appeal in The Week's Good Cause was broadcast on 24 January 1926. The appeal raised £1,025 0s 7d for the National Children's ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and Orphanage. It was made by Charles C Wakefield, Bt, and C.B.E. The broadcast was timed to follow the Sunday Service and became a feature of Sunday evening radio. Charities swiftly realised the power of radio to touch a large audience.
Charity appeals were not new to the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ - the first was among the earliest broadcasts in 1923 - but the fundraising process was formalised in 1926 with the introduction of The Week's Good Cause and the creation of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Charity Appeals Advisory Committee. The Committee advised on the allocation of appeals and the administration of donations. The Christmas appeal for children's charities was first made in 1934 by 'Uncle Mac'. This was the precursor to the current Children in Need.
Today the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Appeal continues every week, supporting a diverse range of UK charities, along with the monthly Lifeline appeal on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One. Large fund-raising projects such as Children in Need and Comic Relief raise millions of pounds for good causes using all platforms. The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is also able to respond swiftly to emergencies such as natural disasters with special appeals.
January anniversaries
- 
              The Six Wives of Henry VIII1 January 1970
- 
              The Brains Trust1 January 1941
- 
              The Archers1 January 1951
- 
              Z Cars2 January 1962
- 
              Trumpton3 January 1967
- 
              Open University3 January 1971
- 
              Camberwick Green3 January 1966
- 
              Final edition of The Listener published3 January 1991
- 
              Gardeners' World5 January 1968
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              A Question of Sport5 January 1970
- 
              Forces Programme7 January 1940
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              Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit10 January 1990
- 
              First in-vision television weather forecaster11 January 1954
- 
              The League of Gentlemen11 January 1999
- 
              Goodness Gracious Me12 January 1998
- 
              Listen with Mother16 January 1950
- 
              Life On Earth16 January 1979
- 
              First episode of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Breakfast Time17 January 1983
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              Blankety Blank18 January 1979
- 
              The Week's Good Cause24 January 1926
- 
              Under Milk Wood25 January 1954
- 
              Television Dancing Club27 January 1948
- 
              Desert Island Discs29 January 1942
- 
              Newsnight30 January 1980
- 
              The State Funeral of Sir Winston Churchill30 January 1965
- 
              Alas Smith and Jones31 January 1984
