Challenge Anneka
1989–1995 · BBC One · 50 min · 7 seasons
S07E08 · Lion Sanctuary
Mon, 16 Oct, 4:30 am
Anneka was challenged to renovate the RSPCA at Grafty Green, Kent as well as rescue two lions based in Athens and transport them to their newly built Big Cat Sanctuary in 61 hours. The challenge, set by the Born Free Foundation, succeeded.
About
Challenge Anneka is a British television programme, produced by the independent production company Mentorn for the BBC, which aired on Friday, later Saturday evenings on BBC One between 8 September 1989 and 15 October 1995. It was announced in 2006 that the series was returning, but this time on ITV. The first of the two specials was shown on Boxing Day 2006. The second transmitted in June 2007.
The format of Challenge Anneka involved Anneka Rice being given a task to accomplish within a certain period of time, usually two or three days. She was supposed to have no knowledge of what the task of each particular episode would be before it began, and would have to organise its accomplishment by persuading companies and people to contribute their time and resources for free. The task would usually be in aid of a charitable cause, for example building a play area for children within the local community, or something similar.
Episodes
- E01
Sheffield Circus
Mon, 28 Aug· 50 minAt the Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield, Anneka was challenged to transform a redundant church into a circus skills centre for the Greentop Community Circus in 53 hours. Also undertaken were 15 smaller projects by local volunteers. The challenge was successful.
- E02
Royal Albert Hall Deaf Play
Mon, 4 Sept· 50 minThe RNID issued a challenge to stage a concert in 28 hours featuring deaf performers for a deaf audience at the Royal Albert Hall.
- E03
The War Memorial
Mon, 11 Sept· 50 minAnneka Rice and the team have 2 days to move a war memorial from the top of a hill to a landscaped garden in Bathgate in Lothian in time for the VE day parade. Also undertaken were 127 smaller projects by local volunteers.
- E04
WRVS Book
Mon, 18 Sept· 30 minAnneka Rice and the team have 52 hours to create and publish a book called 500 Ways on Making You Feel Better. The book contains jokes, games , stories etc. Starting with a visit on the Big Breakfast and with help at the BT Tower.
- E05
County Antrim Meeting Place
Mon, 25 Sept· 50 minThe community of Corrymeela challenged Anneka to knock down their Tara – meeting house – and replace it with 3 buildings for arts and crafts, dancing and meeting. In the 74 hours it took to complete the challenge, a further 128 smaller challenges were undertaken by local volunteers.
- E06
UK Blood Transfusion Service
Mon, 2 Oct· 50 minAnneka was challenged by the UK Blood Transfusion Service to find 100,000 new donors (1 year's supply) in 1 day. 41,000 pledged to give blood on the actual day acrcoss the country. The challenge failed in finding 100,000. After the programme transmitted, a further 31,000 pledged to give blood.
- E07
Birmingham Homeless Mothers Hostel
Mon, 9 Oct· 50 minSt Basil's Housing Centre in Birmingham challenged Anneka to renovate a disused shop and abbatoir transforming it into a 10 bed unit for young homeless mothers and their babies. Over the 58 hours for the challenge, some 16 smaller projects were tackled by volunteers, although the main challenge itself, failed. The project was finished a week later.
- E08
Lion Sanctuary
Mon, 16 Oct· 50 minAnneka was challenged to renovate the RSPCA at Grafty Green, Kent as well as rescue two lions based in Athens and transport them to their newly built Big Cat Sanctuary in 61 hours. The challenge, set by the Born Free Foundation, succeeded.
Cast
Anneka Rice
Anneka Rice
Dave Chapman
Soundman