THE generosity of Evening News readers, you won't need reminding, is often an inspirational thing.

So hats off to all of you who've rallied to help St Richard's Hospice's cause after its Worcester charity shop was ransacked by thieves.

The reassuring news comes at a time of year when the bulk of the population put their own interests to one side and do something for someone else.

With boundless energy, they dress in silly clothes, sit in tubs of baked beans, walk unfathomable distances and rattle collecting tins.

Children in Need is the one annual event which seems to have survived the Lottery revolution, where the prospect of spending £1 on six numbers which might change your life has cut the amount going to people for whom it almost certainly will.

With unavoidable weariness, and regret, we find ourselves thinking that much of the good feeling Pudsey Bear generates will soon evaporate into the cool winter air.

In its place, in many homes, there'll be an expectation of gifts and excess which borders on avaricious.

In recent years, we've criticised the Beeb's extravaganza for producing a predictable, even dull evening of entertainment.

It seems scant reward for the million and millions of viewers who tune in.

There would appear to be a logical solution to both concerns.

Why not slide Children in Need back three weeks, add its spirit of true community generosity to the festive season, revamp the TV feast - and make everyone happy?