Stars Rally the Nation as Nearly Half of UK Children Say They’ve Felt Worried or Low with No One to Talk To

• Jordan Banjo, Emma Bunton, Sara Cox, JB Gill, Mel Giedroyc, Tasha Ghouri, Alex Jones, Angela Scanlon, Gladiators Apollo and Dynamite, Tyler West, Joe Wicks and social favourites Ash Holme, Charley Marlowe, and Jack Remmington join forces to launch BBC Children in Need’s 2026 Appeal
• Emma Bunton designs this year’s official BBC Children in Need T-shirt, available now from George at Asda
• New research commissioned by BBC Children in Need reveals the challenges facing children and young people across the UK today, with 44% saying they have felt worried or low and had no one to talk to at least sometimes in the past month
• Tune into The One Show this evening to see the first of the BBC Children in Need presenting lineup announced!

MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2026 – BBC Children in Need is today launching its 2026 Appeal, calling on people across the UK to get fundraising, take on a challenge and help ensure there is someone by the side of every child when they need it the most.

Leading the launch is a host of famous faces including Jordan Banjo, Emma Bunton, Sara Cox, JB Gill, Mel Giedroyc, Tasha Ghouri, Alex Jones, Angela Scanlon, Gladiators Apollo and Dynamite, Tyler West, Joe Wicks and social stars Ash Holme, Charley Marlowe, and Jack Remmington, who have united to inspire the nation to get involved and help transform young lives.

To mark the start of this year’s campaign, several of the stars visited St Andrew’s Club in Westminster, a BBC Children in Need-funded youth project supporting children and young people in the local community. The special campaign photoshoot highlighted the life-changing difference that youth projects make by giving young people somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.

Mel Giedroyc said: “BBC Children in Need has an incredible ability to bring people together to make a difference for children and young people across the UK. This year’s Appeal is all about making sure every child has someone by their side when they need it most, and everyone can play a part in that. Whether you take on a challenge, donate or support a fundraiser in your community, every contribution helps provide vital support and opportunities for young people. Let’s get behind BBC Children in Need and help make this year’s Appeal the biggest yet!”

The launch comes at a critical moment for children and young people across the UK. Rising levels of poverty, inequality and poor mental health are creating growing challenges, while demand for support continues to increase. BBC Children in Need can only afford to fund one in six organisations that ask for help, leaving around half a million children and young people without access to the support they need.

New research commissioned by BBC Children in Need and conducted by Censuswide among 2,000 children aged 11 to 16 and their parents highlights the significant pressures facing young people today. The findings reveal that too many children and young people aged 11-16 are facing challenges alone, with 44%[1] saying they had felt worried or low and had no one to talk to at least sometimes during the past month. Alarmingly, around 1 in 6 (17%[2]) said they experienced this often or all the time.

The research also sheds light on the barriers preventing young people aged 11-16 from accessing the support, opportunities and activities outside of school. Cost was identified as the biggest obstacle (29%). Meanwhile, 17% lacked the confidence or didn’t feel comfortable to get involved, and a further 18% said there was nothing near where they live.

The findings also point to wider challenges affecting young people’s wellbeing and sense of connection. When feeling stressed, worried or upset, around 1 in 6 (17%) said they keep their feelings to themselves, while one in eight (12%[3]) said they do not feel they belong in their local community.

Together, these findings underline the ongoing need for safe spaces, trusted relationships and accessible opportunities that help children and young people build confidence, resilience and a strong sense of belonging.

Every day, BBC Children in Need-funded projects across the UK help provide children and young people with someone to listen, someone to support them and someone to believe in them. Across youth clubs, community groups, family centres, hospices and helplines, more than 1,500 projects are helping young people build confidence, improve their wellbeing and feel more connected to the world around them.

At the heart of this year’s Appeal is Challenge Yourself 2026, BBC Children in Need’s flagship fundraising campaign. People of all ages are being encouraged to create a challenge inspired by the number 26 and raise money to help children and young people thrive. Whether it’s walking 26 miles, learning 26 new words, baking 26 cakes, giving up a favourite treat for 26 days or trying something completely new, the challenge is yours to make your own. To sign up for Challenge Yourself 2026 and start fundraising today, visit bbcchildreninneed.co.uk

Supporters can also take part in Run with Pudsey and Joe Wicks, which challenges people to walk, run or roll their way to a marathon by completing two miles a day in the two weeks leading up to the BBC Children in Need Appeal on Friday 13 November. Every mile completed and every pound raised will help ensure children and young people have the support they need to thrive.

Joe Wicks said: “I’ve seen first-hand how much of a difference support and encouragement can make to a young person’s life. That’s why I’m proud to be part of this year’s Appeal and to be championing Run with Pudsey and Joe Wicks. Whether you walk, run or roll, every mile and every donation can help make sure more children have someone by their side when they need it most.”

Adding even more colour to this year’s campaign, Spice Girl Emma Bunton has designed the charity’s official 2026 T-shirt, drawing inspiration from the bold colours, positivity and playful spirit of the 90s.

Featuring a vibrant, feel-good design with Pudsey at its heart, the limited-edition T-shirt celebrates the same sense of fun, optimism and togetherness that made the Spice Girls a cultural phenomenon. Available exclusively from George at Asda, the T-shirt gives supporters another way to show their support, with proceeds helping fund vital projects for children and young people across the UK.

Emma Bunton said: “BBC Children in Need is a charity that’s very close to my heart, so it was a real honour to design this year’s official T-shirt. I wanted to create something playful and positive that people would love wearing while supporting such an important cause. The T-shirt brings a sense of fun, and of course there are some nostalgic cheeky nods to the 90s! I hope everyone gets behind the Appeal this year, takes on a challenge and helps make a difference to children and young people across the UK.”

Available in yellow and black, the Official BBC Children in Need T-shirt will retail from £4 for children and £10 for adults. The full range has launched exclusively in stores and is also available at www.george.com now.

Money raised through the 2026 Appeal will help BBC Children in Need invest in even more positive relationships that strengthen children’s wellbeing, build confidence and help them navigate life’s challenges.

Claire Hoyle, CEO of BBC Children in Need, said: “Every child deserves someone by their side. Someone who listens. Someone who supports. Someone who believes in them. Across the UK, children and young people are facing growing challenges, but thanks to the generosity of the public, BBC Children in Need funds the trusted adults, youth workers and support services who are there when they need them most. Right now, we can only fund one in six organisations that ask for our help, which is why this year’s Appeal is so important. It’s a moment when we can come together as a nation and show children and young people that we’re there for them. Every challenge taken on, every donation and every fundraising effort will help ensure more children have the support, confidence and hope they need to thrive.”

Ahead of the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show, tune into The One Show this evening to find out who will be joining this year’s presenting team, with the first presenter announcement revealed live on air.

The BBC Children in Need 2026 Appeal show is produced by BBC Studios Entertainment Productions and will broadcast live from Salford on Friday 13^th November on BBC One and iPlayer.

To sign up for Challenge Yourself 2026 and start fundraising today, visit bbcchildreninneed.co.uk.

~ENDS~

For further information, please contact [email protected]

High resolution images can be found here

Notes to Editors

Survey

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 UK children aged 11-16 and their parents (aged 26+). The data was collected between 04.09.2026 – 14.09.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.

https://charts.censuswide.com/J18759CWa/J18759CWa_VIBox.html

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 1,500 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

[1] Net of answers Always, Often, Sometimes

[2] Net of answers Always, Often

[3] Net of answers Somewhat disagree, Strongly disagree