How children across the North East can take part in a virtual South Shields Sandcastle Challenge
and live on Freeview channel 276
Organisers of the annual event have had to cancel this year’s challenge due to social distancing guidelines.
The 26th anniversary – which was due to take place on Friday, July 3 – will be held online instead and is opening up to all children across the region.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Sandcastle Challenge, which is organised by Children North East, usually sees hundreds of school children descend on Sandhaven Beach.
Last year around 1,750 primary and middle school children took part, but this year will see them compete from their own homes or local beaches.
Children are invited to come up with their own seaside-themed creation, using nature, craft or exercise and to share a photo or video with the charity with the hashtag #SandcastlesAtHome.
Catriona Taylor, head of fundraising and communications said: “Our Sandcastle Challenge is such a popular event, we thought it would be a lovely idea to involve children in some sort of summer project on the day it was due to have been held.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We’d love it if people would like to fundraise as part of the challenge, but they really don’t have to, it can be just for fun. Our main aim is to see as many children as possible joining in and having a good time.”
Children North East began life as the Poor Children’s Holiday Association, set up in 1891 to take disadvantaged youngsters from Newcastle’s smog-bound streets on boat trips down the Tyne for a breath of fresh air and fun at the Coast.
Leigh Elliot, Children North East’s interim Chief Executive, said: “Our annual Sandcastle Challenge is the highlight of our calendar each year and this is the first time in a quarter of a century we’ve had to cancel it, which is really sad as hundreds of school children look forward to the event, as do their teachers and the many businesses.
“Next year we’ll be celebrating our charity’s 130th anniversary when we hope to be back on the beach for our best Sandcastle Challenge yet.”