How children across the North East can take part in a virtual South Shields Sandcastle Challenge

The famous South Shields charity Sandcastle Challenge will take place virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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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.

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The Sandcastle Challenge, which is organised by Children North East, usually sees hundreds of school children descend on Sandhaven Beach.

Children from St Oswald's RC Primary School at last year's Sandcastle Challenge.Children from St Oswald's RC Primary School at last year's Sandcastle Challenge.
Children from St Oswald's RC Primary School at last year's Sandcastle Challenge.

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.

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“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 enjoy the beach at a previous Sandcastle Challenge.Children enjoy the beach at a previous Sandcastle Challenge.
Children enjoy the beach at a previous Sandcastle Challenge.
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The Sandhaven Sandcastle Challenge 2019 in pictures

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.”

An early trip to the coast with the Poor Children’s Holiday Association, leaving from the Quayside in Newcastle.An early trip to the coast with the Poor Children’s Holiday Association, leaving from the Quayside in Newcastle.
An early trip to the coast with the Poor Children’s Holiday Association, leaving from the Quayside in Newcastle.

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