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"At the third stroke..." - search for new voice for BT Speaking Clock begins
raising vital funds for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need
For the first time, BT is giving people across the UK the chance to take their place in history and become the new "permanent" voice of the BT Speaking Clock - and all in aid of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need.
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A special competition phone line will be open from today, Monday 23 October, until midnight on Sunday 5 November 2006.
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The clock will have a new voice to help celebrate its 70th birthday, while aiming to raise significant funds for the charity.
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Established in 1936, the clock has only ever had three "permanent" voices, so the lucky winner will take his or her place in British history.
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The UK-wide competition is officially launched today by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need and Brian Cobby (77), who has been the voice of the Speaking Clock for almost 21 years.
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Entry details can be found at bbc.co.uk/pudsey.
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The new "permanent" voice will officially go live in the New Year.
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Sir Terry Wogan says: "How would you like to be the most listened to voice in the UK? You can be the new BT Speaking Clock, and at the same time help Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children In Need.
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"Just by calling 09067 533 533, answering a question about Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need, and then recording your own unique version of the Speaking Clock message, you could be in with a chance of winning this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
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"And I'll announce the winner on Children In Need's big night, Friday 17th November live on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE. Let's be hearing from you!"
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Calls to the competition number will cost no more than Β£1.50, with Β£1.10 going straight to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need. Callers must have the permission of whoever pays the phone bill.
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Every penny raised will help Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need provide practical and lasting support to disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.
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These include youngsters who have experienced homelessness, neglect, abuse or poverty and encountered serious illnesses, disabilities, psychological disorders and addictions.
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Sir Christopher Bland, Chairman of BT, said: "The BT Speaking Clock is a national treasure. Even though we live in the Digital Age, more than 70 million calls are made each year to the BT Speaking Clock to get an accurate time check.
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"We hope that this competition raises significant funds for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need and celebrates the Speaking Clock's 70th birthday in style."
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BT has supported Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need since the first televised Appeal in 1980 and handles more than 200,000 calls on the night of the appeal from more than 50 call centres.
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Notes to Editors
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 * Becoming the "permanent" voice means that the winner of the competition will replace Brian Cobby's voice, which has been used since 1986.
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There is no set end date for the new voice, although it may be in place for many years.
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Callers can access the BT Speaking Clock by dialling 123 from most landline or mobile networks. Calls cost 30p (Payphone calls are charged at different rates).
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Archive footage, photography and soundbites are available on request.
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Interviews are available on request, including Brian Cobby.
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History of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need Appeal is now in its 27th year, however the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's first broadcast appeal for children took place on Christmas Day in 1927 in the form of a five minute appeal. It raised Β£1,143 (about Β£27,150 in today's money).
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The first televised appeal appeared in 1980. Hosted by Terry Wogan, Esther Rantzen and Sue Cook, it captured the public's imagination, and for the first time the amount raised soared to more than Β£1m.
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Ever since, there's been a star-studded telethon appeal every year, and so far viewers have managed to raise over Β£400m for disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK. Last year alone, the charity distributed almost 2,000 grants to a multitude of projects around the UK that help make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children in the UK.
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Every penny donated to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need is used to make a difference to children and young people's lives. Administration and promotional costs are not paid for out of the money raised from donations.
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need: registered charity 802052
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need helps disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, including those who experience bereavement, homelessness, neglect, abuse and poverty as well as those with disabilities, terminal illness and addiction.
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BT and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need 2006
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BT has been an active supporter of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need since the early Eighties by providing the telephone network management and call centres to help raise money for disadvantaged children and young people. This year, in addition to the BT Speaking Clock initiative, BT will once again be providing the telephone network management for the Appeal. Μύ
Facts about BT Speaking Clock
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The BT Speaking Clock has been ticking 24-hours a day, seven days a week since 24 July 1936 - which is 70 years, more than 25,000 days, more than 613,000 hours, or 36 million minutes.
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The accuracy of the clock is within five thousandths of a second.
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The world's most famous clock, Big Ben, checks its time with the clock.
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. Accurist, the British watch manufacturer, has been the sponsor of the BT Speaking Clock since 1986, and will continue to be associated with the service once the new "permanent" voice is found.
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Andrew Loftus, Chief Executive of Accurist, explains: "The Accurist sponsorship message has been heard more than two billion times but we're happy to let Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need to be centre stage during this competition. It's for a great cause and we'll be encouraging support for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need in the jewellery trade."
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LJ
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