Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Blue Peter today announces a raft of celebrities from the worlds of showbiz and sport who have been enlisted to create their own designer dinner plates for a special auction in aid of its annual appeal, Mission Nutrition.

Bidding starts on Wednesday 28 January 2009 in a one-off special eBay auction.

Top names including Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy, Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park, TV star Richard Hammond and Hollywood actors Emma Watson, Claire Danes and Andy Serkis have all contributed to the auction.

Other unique plates have been designed by Coronation Street's Brooke Vincent and Sam Aston, members of the Holby City cast such as Tina Hobley, Amanda Mealing and Hugh Quarshie, as well as George Sampson, Hugh Dancy, Eliza Bennett plus many more.

Money raised from the sale of the plates will help the appeal achieve its ambitious target of putting two million meals on plates for children around the world.

Sir Chris Hoy said: "I really enjoyed designing my plate and am so pleased to have the chance to help children around the world eat nutritious food. I'm going to be carefully watching the bidding so make sure you get competitive! Together, the more money we raise, the more young people we can help around the world. I've joined the Mission. Will you?"

Tim Levell, Editor of Blue Peter, said: "This is one of the most exciting things we've ever done for a Blue Peter appeal. We're delighted that so many stars are helping us get toward our target of two million meals. By auctioning just a few plates designed by celebrities, we'll be able to help put food on the plates of many thousands of hungry children around the world."

For its biggest appeal yet, Blue Peter has partnered for the first time with three charities: ContinYou; the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens; and Save the Children.

Through Mission Nutrition, Blue Peter will help children in the UK, as well as in Bangladesh, Colombia and South Africa, making the appeal truly global as the long-running children's programme celebrates its 50th birthday.

Go to www.eBay.co.uk/charity and click on the Mission Nutrition banner to start bidding and help Blue Peter's Mission Nutrition Appeal reach its target of putting two million meals on plates for children around the world.

All money raised by families around the UK will help:

1. Help provide daily meals for children in Bangladesh, Colombia and South Africa through Save the Children

2. Set up new breakfast clubs across the UK through ContinYou.

3. Help children in all four countries grow their own food by setting up gardens in schools and communities through the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens and Save the Children.

Notes to Editors

Pictures of each of the plates are available plus images of Emma Watson, George Sampson and Andy Serkis designing their plates.

Bidding will start at Β£10 per plate and the auction will last for 10 days.

Blue Peter is the longest running children's show in the world. It celebrated its 50th on 16 October 2008.

The appeal launched on 4 November 2008. Further information for schools and children is available at www.missionnutrition.org.uk.

TD