• Stars including Ade Adepitan MBE, Nicola Adams OBE, Lewys Ball, Dani Dyer, Giovanna Fletcher, Blu Hydrangea, Lady Leshurr, Jason Manford, Louise Pentland, Katie Piper, Tilly Ramsay, Chris Ramsey, Anita Rani, Alex Scott MBE, Dr Julie Smith, Laura Whitmore and Joe Wicks MBE are calling on the public to show their support for BBC Children in Need’s 2022 Appeal.

• Last week, BBC Children in Need announced their presenters for 2022 – Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc, Chris Ramsey and Alex Scott MBE, who will be joined by comedian Jason Manford for the first time this year.

• Join BBC Children in Need for The Great SPOTacular on Friday 18 November at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Thursday 13 October – A host of stars including Ade Adepitan MBE, Nicola Adams OBE, Lewys Ball, Dani Dyer, Giovanna Fletcher, Blu Hydrangea, Dr Julie, Lady Leshurr, Jason Manford, Louise Pentland, Katie Piper OBE, Tilly Ramsay, Chris Ramsey, Anita Rani, Alex Scott MBE,  Laura Whitmore and Joe Wicks MBE have come together to launch BBC Children in Need’s 2022 fundraising appeal – The Great SPOTacular! The celebrities are calling on the nation to be SPOTacular and help to make sure that every child in the UK has the chance to thrive and be the best they can be.

To kick-start this year’s fundraising launch, a SPOTacular film voiced by Lady Leshurr is set to shine a spotlight on the effect that the cost of living crisis is having on children and young people and the many ways the UK can become SPOTacular fundraisers to help children when they need it most.

The charity says there are plenty of ways for the Great British public to be SPOTacular for BBC Children in Need to support their 2022 Appeal, including through ‘Walk with Joe’, led by the charity’s ambassador, Joe Wicks MBE. Over the first two weekends in November, Walk with Joe encourages people in communities across the UK to head to their local parkrun event and walk the route with family and friends to boost their physical and mental wellbeing. Walkers will also be asked to donate what they can to BBC Children in Need, to support children and young people in communities across the UK.

As part of Walk with Joe, Joe will also be walking an epic 30-mile ultra-marathon! On Friday November 18th, Joe will start his walk in MediaCityUK and aim to finish in ten hours to reach the BBC Children in Need Great Spotacular Appeal Show. Along the way, Joe will be joined by special guests, including charity fundraisers and other celebrity friends. The event will be live streamed on Joe’s Facebook and he’ll also face some unexpected surprises and challenges along the way.

More SPOTacular fundraising activities include getting friends, family or colleagues to test their football skills with a penalty SPOT or go the extra mile with an -athon, such as a walk-athon, swim-athon or hula-athon. Fundraisers can get involved with SPOTacular fancy dress, spotty make up or face paint, bake sales and arts and crafts with every penny raised making a huge difference.

The SPOTacular campaign also includes a bespoke range of merchandise including official t-shirts designed by bestselling author and illustrator of children’s books, Liz Pichon, and created by partner to BBC Children in Need, George at ASDA. The t-shirts are available in sizes for children and adults and can be a colourful addition to fundraising efforts across the nation.

In addition, BBC Education and BBC Children in Need have teamed up to get the nations primary school children moving and thriving with their new campaign BBC Moodboosters! To launch this new campaign, the charity will live-stream a mood boosting activity, led by famous faces, to primary schools across the nation at 12pm on Appeal day – Friday 18 November.

Commenting on the SPOTacular launch, Laura Whitmore, said: “Children, young people and families across the UK are facing a multitude of challenges including, poverty, mental health problems, illness, isolation, loneliness and social injustice. With your support the British public can donate to help BBC Children in Need fund projects to deliver the right support and guidance for children and young people who need our support, right now. I want the nation to go SPOTacular for BBC Children in Need and give what they can to improve the lives for vulnerable children and young people.”

Giovanna Fletcher, said: “BBC Children in Need is an annual event in my home, my whole family gets baking and fundraising to support children and young people who need it most. BBC Children in Need really can change young lives by providing vital funds to community projects that support children and young people’s physical and mental wellbeing. I’m delighted to be supporting the 2022 Appeal and I can’t wait to see the nation get Spotacular, raise funds and enjoy a night of amazing TV!”

Dani Dyer, said: “BBC Children in Need makes such an amazing impact on children and young people across the UK who are facing a range of challenges and issues. This year, join me and go SPOTacular! Donate what you can, and support the wellbeing of young people near you.”

Tilly Ramsay, said: “I’m so proud to be supporting BBC Children in Need this year, the charity funds projects working hard to improve the lives of children and young people. Let’s get SPOTacular, donate what we can and help these projects continue their brilliant work in every corner of the UK.”

Chris Ramsey, said: “BBC Children in Need is an event in every family’s annual calendar and I’m thrilled to be supporting the charity again this year. I’ve seen first-hand how donations can make a hugely positive impact to the lives of children and young people facing challenges, and provide them with an environment where they can thrive. I really hope the public unite, go SPOTacular and give whatever they can, for BBC Children in Need this year.”

BBC Children in Need’s 2022 SPOTacular appeal is raising funds to tackle the effects of the cost of living crisis. Donations from the fundraising appeal will help the charity to:

• Provide funding for its Emergency Essentials Programme, which provides basic essentials  to children and families living in poverty like a bed to sleep in, a school uniform or a cooker to give them a hot meal
• Provide more funding to organisations which provide food banks and community kitchens, ensuring children don’t have to go to sleep hungry
• And continue to fund thousands of Project Worker posts across the UK, who help children to navigate through the challenges of living in poverty and the impact it has on their mental health

Join BBC Children in Need for The Great SPOTacular! with new host for 2022, Jason Manford on what promises to be an incredible night of television dedicated to raising money to help children who need it most. Watch on Friday 18 November at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Visit www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey to find out more.

~Ends~

For further information, please contact: [email protected]

SPOTacular talent images can be found here.

Notes to Editors

Additional talent quotes:

Ade Adepitan MBE, said: “BBC Children in Need funded a project I attended as a child, spending time at the project was life changing for me, it helped me nurture my basketball skills, and gave me the confidence to go on and thrive. Let’s help children and young people in the UK be SPOTacular and encourage them to be the best they can be.”

Blu Hydrangea, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be going SPOTacular and supporting BBC Children in Need this year! BBC Children in Need provides support in every area of the UK for children and young people facing challenges and issues. With your donations BBC Children in Need can continue providing vital funds to local projects who provide a safe and secure environment for young people to grow and thrive. Let’s get Spotacular and change lives!”

Lewys Ball, said: “I’m thrilled to be supporting BBC Children in Need this year! It’s such an iconic annual event for families across the UK. Let’s get SPOTacular and help raise vital funds for young people”.

Mel Giedroyc, said: “This year, more than ever children and young people facing challenges and barriers in their lives need our help. I want you all to go SPOTacular and give what you can to allow BBC Children in Need to continue funding projects in local communities, delivering vital support to children and young people across the nation. I know it is tough for everyone right now, but please give what you can, it will go on to make a positive and lasting difference to young lives.

Louise Pentland, said: “BBC Children in Need is such a special time of year and an opportunity for the nation to unite, celebrate our young people and what they can achieve with encouragement, guidance and support. BBC Children in Need funded projects are vital to development and wellbeing of children and young people, who are currently facing a multitude of challenges, we can get SPOTacular, raise funds and help them to achieve their dreams by donating what we can.”

About BBC Children in Need:

BBC Children in Need believe every child and young person deserves the opportunity to thrive and be the best they can be.

BBC Children in Need’s ambition is to create lasting, positive change across the UK for the children and young people who need it most. Together with the BBC and partners, BBC Children in Need aim to inspire the nation in support of their work.

BBC Children in Need’s 2,200 local charities and projects work tirelessly in every corner of the UK to help children & young people overcome the additional challenges they currently face, including supporting children and young people living in poverty, providing emergency support to families in crisis, providing comfort to children feeling sad, lost and alone, helping children overcome social injustice and supporting children to feel safe and secure again.

Further information on BBC Children in Need can be found at www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk

About BBC Moodboosters

BBC Moodboosters is a new initiative from BBC Education and BBC Children in Need to inspire children age 5 to 11 to get moving for mental health and wellbeing. Moodboosters are fun, free online activities that will offer children the tools to help them manage their feelings and emotional wellbeing. A website full of interactive videos and learning resources will be available from 18 November for use all year round, to support primary school teachers and parents to deliver mood boosting activities in school or at home. For more information about Moodboosters, please visit the website https://www.bbc.co.uk/moodboosters