Children in Need 2008 gets off to a flying start this year with a ‘loopy’ Celebrity Art Challenge, which will see some of the UK’s best-loved stars go head-to-head with members of the media in an almighty art-off! This creative campaign is the brainchild of Velcro Ltd, the company behind the iconic and original hook and loop fastener, which has followed the charity’s request to Do Something Different this year.

Following Children in Need’s requests for fundraisers to use their imagination and do something outside the norm Velcro Ltd recruited a host of household celebs for the VELCRO® brand Challenge (www.thevelcrochallenge.co.uk). This charitable bunch flexed their creative muscles to produce pieces of art incorporating a VELCRO® brand product in some imaginative way, demonstrating the product’s sheer versatility whilst meeting the charity’s brief for something unique.

The artwork will be auctioned off on eBay from 6th November, where the person with the highest bid will win a totally unique celebrity creation.

With some of the UK’s most well known faces taking part, this is sure to capture the public’s attention and raise heaps of cash for the charity. 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. National treasures Joanna Lumley, Fred Talbot and Floella Benjamin are competing against soap stars Tupele Dorgu (Kelly from Corrie), Wanda Opalinska (Wiki from Corrie), Mathew Bose (Paul from Emmerdale) and cutie pie Ellis Hollins (Tom Cunningham from Hollyoaks. 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 really is good with the sticky back plastic!), and Amir Khan’s artwork is an absolute knock-out!

Masterchef’s John Torode has cooked up a storm, as has 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, Amy Brookbanks from Love It! magazine and Lynda Moyo from Manchester Confidential have all produced masterpieces.

Mike “Squeaky” McClean is flying the flag for Xfm’s breakfast time, in direct competition with the Key 103 breakfast team who’s yummy breakfast creation is bound to whet your appetite; 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 drivetime show.

Following this northern flavour, the artworks will be exhibited at Manchester’s Triangle shopping centre. An exclusive preview event for contributing artists and the media will be held on Thursday the 6th of November, with the public exhibition running from Friday the 7th of November through to Children in Need on Friday the 14th of November.

These celebrity masterpieces will be auctioned off on eBay as of 6th November where members of the public can bid to get their mitts on some truly unique creations. The auction will close on Sunday 16th November when the successful bidders will be notified of their wins and the total raised for Children in Need will be calculated.

A dedicated website has also been set up at www.thevelcrochallenge.co.uk where visitors can view the artworks and click through to the dedicated eBay auction page to make their bids.

This truly is an exciting and unique opportunity to raise much-needed funds for Children in Need 2008 so go on – get stuck in!

- ENDS -

VELCRO® is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries B.V

For further editorial information please contact JAMpr Ltd:
Jaime Markey
Tel: 0161 850 0565
Fax: 0161 236 3700
E: jaime@jampr.co.uk