Celebrity supporters share their experiences to launch BBC Children in Need’s 2021 fundraising campaign – Together, We Can
As part of BBC Children in Need’s 2021 fundraising launch, supporters including Ade Adepitan MBE, Giovanna Fletcher, Ella Henderson, Professor Green, Lady Leshurr, Nikki Lilly and Joe Wicks MBE have come together to powerfully share their personal experiences in a series of short films, reflecting on issues such as mental health, poverty, disability and bereavement.
In a year that has left lasting effects on the lives of children and young people across the UK, the films aim to provide advice, reassurance and hope for those facing unimaginable challenges, reinforcing the message that together, we can show children and young people that there are better days ahead.
With over 4 million children living in poverty in the UK*, the impact of Covid-19 has left children and young people across the UK facing increased financial uncertainty and hardship. Thanks to the support of fundraisers across the UK, BBC Children in Need is currently funding 1,200 projects supporting children and young people impacted by poverty and deprivation to a value of £69m. In his film, Professor Green spoke of the challenges he faced in childhood.
Professor GreenWhen I was a kid, the phrase ‘mental health’ wasn’t something that you heard anywhere. I didn’t know how to ask for help because I didn’t really understand what I was feeling myself. You are resilient and you are strong. Open up and tell someone how you’re feeling. Never suffer in silence.
Facing increased worry and uncertainty, children’s mental health has been drastically impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. But thanks to donations from the UK public, BBC Children in Need is currently funding 1,500 projects supporting children and young people across the UK with their emotional wellbeing and mental health to a value of £97m. Ella Henderson spoke of a time in her life when she struggled with her mental health, offering a message of hope to others struggling.
Ella HendersonYou are not alone. Every day might not be perfect, every day might be tough at first, but it does get better, I promise you that.
The Covid-19 crisis has also left lasting effects on the lives of disabled children and young people who have been severely affected by reduced access to key social activities. Support from the British public help BBC Children in Need to currently fund 700 projects that support disabled children and young people across the UK to a value of £37m. Ade Adepitan MBE reflected on living with a disability and how support from BBC Children in Need made a difference to his childhood.
Ade Adepitan MBEBBC Children in Need put money towards one of my first basketball wheelchairs and it totally changed my life. I probably wouldn’t have achieved half the things that I’ve done in my life if it wasn’t for that chair and BBC Children in Need.
The pandemic has sadly left many children and young people across the UK facing the complexities of bereavement. But thanks to donations from the UK public, BBC Children in Need is currently funding 80 projects supporting bereaved children and young people across the UK to a value of £6m. In her film, Lady Leshurr spoke of the grief she faced when she lost her sister and shared advice for those who have suffered a bereavement.
Lady LeshurrYou need an outlet, whether it’s writing it down on a piece of paper, poetry or just a diary. And you need to speak to people, express and get it out because once you’ve got it out, you feel so much lighter. Try to heal and always talk to people.
Another powerful film shows Nikki Lilly sharing what life is like living with a chronic illness, and the advice she would give to others facing similar challenges.
Nicki LillyIt's really lonely living with chronic illness, and it's really hard. You're constantly living with that anxiety of what the next day is going to be like. It really helps speaking to someone. If you are struggling you will be able to find help and they will be able to help you find the light at the end of the tunnel.
In Joe Wicks MBE’s film, Joe reflected on his childhood, growing up in a household with two parents who both experienced mental health issues.
Joe Wicks MBEI was scared and confused. There are millions of children across the UK living with parents with mental health issues and you're not alone. It's not your fault and things are going to get better, that's the most important thing to know, that however you're feeling today, it's temporary.
On being involved with this year’s BBC Children in Need appeal, Giovanna Fletcher said:
Giovanna FletcherI am incredibly proud to be supporting BBC Children in Need’s 2021 Appeal. Children and young people across the UK are currently facing a multitude of challenges, including illness, poverty, mental health problems, isolation, loneliness and social injustice, but together, we can raise money to make amazing things happen.
In line with the launch of this year’s fundraising Appeal, a poll conducted by Censuswide has shed light on the impact of the past eighteen months on the lives of children and young people across the UK, as well as offering insight into how positive children and young people feel about their futures. The key findings of the survey can be found here.
For everything you need to take part in this year’s appeal, download our official 2021 fundraising pack, which is bursting with ideas to inspire fundraising ahead of the Appeal show on Friday 19th November.
Thanks to the generosity of the British public, BBC Children in Need is currently funding over 2,500 local charities and projects across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages.
Together, we can support young people in communities right across the country, at a time when this help is needed more than ever.
*Source – https://cpag.org.uk/child-poverty/child-poverty-facts-and-figures
