THE ONE SHOW'S SURPRISE SQUAD RETURNS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED 2022

Made up of five inspirational young people who have benefitted from BBC Children in Need funding, the Surprise Squad members are lending a hand as part of a series of challenges to give back to others being supported by BBC Children in Need.

Joined by The One Show presenters Alex Jones, Ronan Keating and Jermaine Jenas, the Surprise Squad will head to three locations around the country where they will complete surprise challenges for BBC Children in Need funded projects.

The One Show viewers will be able to watch how the surprises unfold each evening, whilst learning the young people’s inspiring stories in the run up to the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show.

The One Show’s Alex Jones, who will be joining the team during one of the surprises, says: “We’re thrilled to bits that the Surprise Squad is back again for BBC Children in Need with a new troupe of incredible young people delivering very special challenges for BBC Children in Need funded projects across the country. I just know the audience is going to be humbled and inspired by the Squad’s incredible stories and I can’t wait to share what they are getting up to!”

Ronan Keating, who will also be joining the team for one of the surprises, says: “Once again we’re so pleased to be delivering these surprises for BBC Children in Need projects across the country and what better way than to do it than with the help of a very special squad of youngsters who have benefitted from BBC Children in Need themselves. We hope that these surprises will make a huge difference to those receiving them and we can’t wait to bring the audience along with us!”

Jermaine Jenas adds: “Times are incredibly tough for so many right now and we know that there are so many people in need of support. We’re all really looking forward to seeing the amazing things that the new Surprise Squad get up to this year which we know will make a real difference and I hope that our audience love watching it all too!”

The Surprise Squad is made up of the following young people:

Max, 17 from Cornwall was just three when his mum died in 2009 of an undiagnosed heart condition. Max was with his mum when this happened. The following years for Max and his family were unimaginably tough. Max’s father was unable to work due to Max and his little brother Jasper needing his care. That’s when they were introduced to Penhaligon’s Friends who have been with them throughout their journey.

Charlina, 20 from Luton has faced many health challenges in her life. As a baby she had successful heart surgery when holes were discovered in her heart. Then, as she got older doctors discovered she had a rare liver condition called focal nodular hypoplasia. The condition made Charlina extremely unwell and doctors decided that a liver transplant was the best way forward. Aged 12, Charlina underwent major surgery for a transplant; fortunately the operation was a success and Charlina gradually got better. Today Charlina is passionate about becoming a paediatric nurse after being inspired by the incredible nurses who helped her throughout her childhood.

Jodie, 19 from Belfast was born at 30 weeks weighing just 3lbs 2oz. Fifteen months later she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and in addition to this doctors later found she had scoliosis and serious issues with her sight. As a young child Jodie found her education tough as she felt very isolated and struggled with her self-esteem. Through a recommendation in her local community she started attending Monkstown Boxing, a local BBC Children in Need funded community project, which delivers youth group sessions which work to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

Zuhair, 17, from Perth, is a young carer for his much loved two younger siblings Mo and Elaine who were both diagnosed with a form of ataxia six years ago, a progressive degenerative disease that affects balance, control and eye movement. Caring for Mo and Elaine involves the whole family and this became especially hard following a car accident which left Zuhair’s mother temporarily unable to walk.

Lauren, 19, is from Nottingham. In February 2018 Lauren’s mum Lisa was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer and tragically she passed away later that year. Lauren was introduced to Maggie’s, who receive funding from BBC Children in Need to deliver their support days to young people who have a relative affected by cancer. Maggie’s has been funded by BBC Children in Need for the more than 10 years, it is a warm and welcoming place and it was somewhere where Lauren spent a lot of time following the loss of her mum.

Rob Unsworth, Head of The One Show, says: “We’re delighted that the Surprise Squad is back this year with a new group of inspirational youngsters spreading a bit of magic to BBC Children in Need funded projects across the UK.”

Tommy Nagra, Director of Content at BBC Children in Need, says: “The Surprise Squad we have assembled with The One Show is made up of five incredible young people, each with their own emotional story to tell. Despite overcoming their own personal challenges, it’s uplifting to see them surprising and delighting others also in need. Whilst we recognise that times are tough, we hope viewers at home are inspired by the Surprise Squad’s remarkable efforts and enjoy tuning in to watch their journey.”

Watch The One Show between 31 October - 17 November every evening at 7pm on BBC One to see the squad stories and find out how the surprises unfold.

To donate please visit www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey