A number of well known British faces are taking part in a new campaign for Save the Children by following the dreams of what they wanted to do when they grew up.
Danielle Lineker always wanted to be a vet
Among those who have dressed up for the Born To Shine campaign are cricketing legend and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ champion Darren Gough, DJ Neil Fox, model Danielle Lineker, TV personality Chloe Madeley, actress Tracy-Ann Oberman and former Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon.
The campaign also includes an exciting new series on ITV1 that started on Sunday, called Born To Shine. Hosted by Save the Children ambassador Natasha Kaplinsky, the show will see some of the UK’s most talented kids mentor celebrities as they learn a new skill, from tap-dancing to rapping.
Among the celebrities taking part are comedian Jason Manford, presenter Ruth Langsford, actor and film director Nick Moran, Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter, Emmerdale’s Tony Audenshaw and Lesley Dunlop, rugby player Gareth Thomas, presenter and journalist Jennie Bond, actor and presenter Joe Swash, and presenters Michael Underwood and Angellica Bell.
Each week, three of the celebrities will take to the stage and show off their new skill to the nation in the hope of winning a place in the final. They’ll be critiqued by a panel of judges, headed by Denise van Outen and Jason Gardiner, who’ll be joined each week by a different surprise celebrity judge.
“I’m excited to see how the famous faces tackle the challenges,” says Natasha. “And I’m delighted that they’re all doing it to help raise money for Save the Children, a charity very close to my heart.”
Born to Shine will also feature short films about Save the Children projects at home and overseas, showing viewers how their donations help children across the world. Host Natasha, Chris Tarrant and actress Dervla Kirwan each travelled to look at overseas projects – and Paul O'Grady also hosts a film about Save The Children’s work – getting across the serious message behind the show. Every child is born with the potential to shine, we just have to give them the chance.
To celebrate the finale of the show on August 21, Save The Children is asking the public to unleash their inner five-year old and turn up to work dressed as their childhood ambition. Everyone who takes part in ‘The five year old me was born to be’ on August 19 will donate £1 to relive their fantasy job for the day (or £2 not to) and Save the Children is rallying offices up and down the country to get involved.
“Remember when you were five and the only thing you wanted to be was Batman, a policeman or – for me – a vet?” asks Danielle Lineker. “This August I have the opportunity to live my ultimate childhood dream whilst raising vital funds for Save the Children.”
To find out more about the Born To Shine campaign, click here.
