22 June - The CBBC Olympic Games Challenge
Children from Middlesbrough are being challenged to organise and plan an event for their town on the afternoon of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
Children from Middlesbrough are being challenged to organise and plan an event for their town on the afternoon of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
They've got a date - Friday 27 July. They've got a venue - the pavilion in Albert Park. But the location has fallen into disrepair and is in need of a serious makeover. Plus, can they deliver all the refreshments, entertainment and celebrity guests that the event demands? And come up with the brand new sporting activity for everyone to try out on the day?
With the help of some of CBBC's biggest stars, including Blue Peter's Barney Harwood, Newsround's Ore Oduba and members of the Deadly Art Team and Stefan Gates of Incredible Edibles, the children will attempt to organise an amazing Olympic celebration for Middlesbrough - and in the process show kids across the UK how to put on the perfect community event.
CBBC will be showing four special programmes across the week following the children's progress, and mapping out the highs and lows of planning such a big occasion. The series will culminate in a live show from the main event in Middlesbrough on the afternoon of Friday 27 July.
Speaking about the series, Helen Bullough, Head of CBBC Productions says: "Middlesbrough has really taken this project to heart; the enthusiasm and support has been tremendous. The CBBC Olympic Games Challenge will offer something distinctive and memorable for our audience across the UK."
The CBBC Olympic Games Challenge was commissioned by CBBC Controller Damian Kavanagh and the executive producers are Owenna Griffiths and Gurdip Bhangoo.
BBC North has provided additional investment for the CBBC Olympic Games Challenge through the BBC North Kicker Fund, which supports productions and initiatives that are made in the North of England. Since its launch in 2009 the Kicker Fund has supported commissions for BBC Children's, BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Sport as well as network dramas including United and Eric & Ernie. Additionally, the fund supported the award-winning Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds and The Preston Passion.