It's not just Radio 2, Radio 4 is almost as bad. I won't give to Children in Need (and haven't done so since year 1, when I saw how some of the money was wasted locally) I'd rather give my pittance to a hard-up charity which really needs it and I can see where it is doing some good.
There's no way most people could pay enough to buy any of the auction offers. It's just rich folk having fun and the hype, concerned sweetness and hysteria is rather sickening i.m.o.. We'll be reading, writing and doing anything other than joining in at the weekend.