Children in Need gets off to a ‘loopy’ start this year with the impressive VELCRO® brand Celebrity Art Challenge, which sees some of the UK’s best-loved stars and members of the media getting all creative to help raise much needed funds for projects throughout the UK that support disadvantaged children.

A host of famous faces and media personalities have flexed their creative muscles and created absolute masterpieces that will be auctioned off on a dedicated eBay page, with all money raised going directly to Children in Need 2008.

The VELCRO® brand Celebrity Art Challenge is an exciting opportunity for us all to raise money for a very worthy cause. And the more support we generate, the more money we can raise for the charity, so go on – get stuck in!

The extremely talented Mathew Bose (Paul, Emmerdale) made some last minute alterations to his masterpiece when he visited the launch of The VELCRO® brand Celebrity Art Challenge exhibition at the Triangle shopping centre, Manchester on Thursday 6th November.

Mathew popped in to see his art at the public exhibition and to check out the competition!

We were delighted to see Fred 'the weather man' Talbot at the launch of the exhibition, and as you can see he was as proud as punch with his wonderful creation.

After switching on the Christmas lights in Liverpool, cutie pie Ellis, who plays Tom Cunningham in Hollyoaks, nipped over to Manchester to see his 'handy' work in the flesh. Ellis tells us he's a huge fan of Children in Need and that his birthday actually falls on the big night itself this year - Friday 14th November. Happy Birthday for then Ellis!

You can imagine our delight when up-and-coming music sensations The Sticks popped in to show their support for Children in Need. Poppy and Tom from the band said they wanted to keep with a musical theme and what a rockin' piece of art it is!

The auction for the artwork is well underway on eBay. It will close on Sunday 16th November when the successful bidders will be notified of their wins and the total raised for Children in Need 2008 will be calculated in time for the big charitable day.

If you fancy owning a totally unique celebrity creation, please bid now!

Heading off the challenge is the one and only Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who is joined by funny men Bill Bailey and Dave Spikey along with national treasures Joanna Lumley, Fred Talbot and Floella Benjamin.

The soaps also go head-to-head with Tupele Dorgan (Kelly from Corrie), Wanda Opalinska (Wiki from Corrie), Matthew Bose (Paul from Emmerdale) and cutie pie Ellis Hollins(Tom Cunningham from Hollyoaks) all battling to raise the most cash. And David Threlfall’s alter ego Frank Gallagher will bring a Shameless twist to the mix.

Wayne Hemmingway and Linda Barker will be pitting their creative skills against ex-Blue Peter presenter Tim Vincent (turns out he’s great with the sticky back plastic!), and Amir Khan’s artwork is an absolute knock-out!

Masterchef’s John Torode will be cooking up a storm, as will Celebrity Masterchef winner, Liz McClarnon.

Throw the lovely Gail Porter into the mix and you’ve got a definite recipe for success!

To keep things lively on the media side, “Goss Girl” Charli Morgan from The Daily Star has taken part, along with Amy Brookbanks from Love It! magazine and Lynda Moyo from Manchester Confidential.

Mike “Squeaky” McClean is flying the flag for Xfm’s breakfast time, in direct competition with the Manchester Key 103 breakfast team and “Stand Up Alex” from Galaxy Radio Manchester’s breakfast show.

Completing this impressive northern line-up is top artist and legendary Manc Clint Boon of Inspiral Carpets fame, who also does Xfm’s weekday drive-time show.

After a big shout out on air, Clint Boon of Inspiral Carpets fame has knocked his Xfm colleague, Mike 'Squeaky' McClean, off the top spot. Clint is top of the leader board with his art in at £62. Come on guys, we know you can raise more than this for Children in Need - get bidding!

So far we've managed to rustle up £480 - a good start but we know you can all help us raise so much more for the children that really are in need of our support. So go on - get stuck in!

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Derived from the first syllables of the French words velour (loop) and crochet (hook), the VELCRO® brand name has, since 1959, been given to an extensive range of products that have simplified fastening and closure operations all over the world.

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