Meet The Challenge Squad
We’ve teamed up with The One Show and BBC Radio 2 for a third year running to welcome back the epic fundraiser – The Challenge Squad.
The Challenge Squad is made up of four inspirational young people who have benefitted from BBC Children in Need funding, who will be championed by Alex Jones, Roman Kemp and Sara Cox as they undertake incredible challenges to help make a difference to young lives.
You can find out more about the Challenge Squad members below, as well as donate.
Jude, 20, from North London, was born with spina bifida. As Jude grew up, he had multiple operations to help him to walk more easily. Facing multiple operations was difficult for Jude and his family, with the recovery sometimes taking months. As Jude has grown up, he’s taken every opportunity to embrace sport – especially football. Playing football has enabled Jude to grow in confidence and he now coaches an inclusive football team. Jude is an ambassador for Shine, a charity that works with children and families affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Jude has benefitted from the support Shine gives to children and teenagers.
Lloyd, 21, from Surrey, was born with Down syndrome. Lloyd is now a keen sportsman but when he was growing up, he had a number of health conditions that made accessing sport harder. Lloyd had a hole in his heart and some loss of hearing. He also needed operations on his legs and procedures on his eyes. But Lloyd has always embraced sports. He is a keen marathon runner and loves athletics, gymnastics, golf and football. Lloyd wants to show the world what people with Down syndrome can achieve if barriers and prejudice are removed. Lloyd is supported by Stepping Stones DS, which supports children and young people with Down syndrome and is part-funded by BBC Children in Need.
Kat, 18, is a budding singer-songwriter from Hampshire. Kat was born with cerebral palsy and is an ambulatory wheelchair user. This means that Kat moves between using a wheelchair and crutches. Kat is also proudly neurodivergent (autism and ADHD). Kat faced bullying throughout childhood and after considerable mental health battles they found Music Fusion, a project supported by BBC Children in Need, which encouraged Kat’s self-expression through music. Kat credits Music Fusion as the place that really changed their outlook on life and allowed them to heal and grow in self-confidence.
Eloise, 17, from Ayrshire, is a young carer for her 18-year-old sister Elyssa. Elyssa needs round the clock care due to a rare genetic condition which means she has epilepsy, autism and limited communication skills. Eloise works together with her parents and brother to ensure that Elyssa has a safe and happy homelife. The family’s caring responsibilities are made harder because both of Eloise’s parents have quite complex health conditions themselves that have an impact on their mobility. Eloise has been supported by East Ayrshire Young Carer’s since the age of nine.
