Actor Jess Hynes and 11-year-old Max Woosey join judging panel for Children’s Drawing Challenge

Paddington star Jess Hynes and fundraising supremo Max ‘Boy in the Tent’ Woosey, are today (Tuesday 25th May) launching a new drawing challenge in support of the charity Action for Children’s Boycott your Bed. The annual fundraiser – which takes place on Friday July 9th - sees children, families, friends and colleagues sleeping out in the most unusual places they can think of to raise money for vulnerable children across the UK.

The Drawing Challenge asks children 12 and under to draw where they would most like to boycott their beds, and the panel will decide which has captured the imagination and fun of Boycott your Bed best. It could be a treehouse, a rocket in outer space, a submarine under the sea or even a magical castle! One lucky winner will receive a bundle of prizes including Horrible Histories goodies, Very Hungry Caterpillar books and toys, a six-month subscription to The Week Junior and a selection of treats from the Bloom & Blossom range.

Actor and Action for Children Ambassador Jess Hynes says: ‘I had so much fun last year boycotting my bed that I jumped at the chance to get involved again this time as a judge for the Boycott Your Bed Children’s Drawing Challenge. I can’t wait to see all the wild and wacky places that those creative minds come up with and I already know it’s going to be so hard to choose a winner!’

As someone who has boycotted his own bed for over a year in order to raise money for his local hospice, 11-year-old Max Woosey was the perfect choice when it came to judging where other kids would most want to boycott theirs! He says: ‘I can’t imagine ever sleeping in an actual bed again - but it would be really fun to sleep somewhere other than a tent in my back garden. I’m really looking forward to seeing where everyone else would want to sleep!’

Sue Cheung is the author of Chinglish, winner of last year’s Diverse Book Award, which takes a very personal look at what it is like to be young, homeless and pregnant. She says: ‘I was delighted to be asked to be a judge for this competition. Not only do I get to support a charity that helps other young people who have been through similar experiences as I have but I also get to admire amazing artworks by some incredible young people. I couldn’t be happier!’

Multi award-winning author and illustrator Rob Biddulph got the nation drawing during lockdown with his #DrawWithRob initiative that led to a Guinness World Record as over 45,000 households tuned into a live #DrawWithRob You Tube class. Rob says: ‘I’m delighted to be supporting Action for Children and the amazing work they do to help thousands of vulnerable young people throughout the UK. And I can’t wait to see the entries for the ‘Boycott Your Bed Children’s Drawing Challenge’. I know through Draw With Rob that there are thousands of talented artists out there, so I’m super-excited to see what we get.’

The Boycott your Bed Children's Drawing Challenge is one of a series of events taking place in the run up to Boycott Your Bed itself on Friday July 9th.  On the night of the sleepout, Action for Children will be hosting a virtual event, which connects everyone who registers with thousands of others who will be bedding down in unusual places across the UK. The live night of entertainment and activities is set to be hosted by a number of well-known faces and a full, exclusive line up of names will be announced next month. Celebrities that will be taking part this year already include Giovanni Pernice and Luba Mushtuk, who will be hosting a dance masterclass for kids, TV presenter Laura Hamilton reading a Bedtime Story and Jess Hynes hosting a Horrible Histories quiz. Action for Children ambassadors Jenny Agutter and Larry Lamb will be supporting this year’s event too.

Sign up for Boycott your Bed and you’ll bring hope to vulnerable children in the UK hit hardest by the pandemic. Wherever you sleep the money you raise can make children’s dreams of a safe and happy childhood come true.

Visit www.boycottyourbed.co.uk/drawing for more information about the Children’s Drawing Challenge and July’s virtual sleepout.

MEDIA CONTACT

For interview requests and more information please contact Beth McDonald on 07940 441770 or email [email protected]

Out of hours: 07802 806 679 / [email protected]

• Action for Children protects and supports vulnerable children and young people by providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. With 476 services in communities across the UK, the charity helps more than 387,000 children, teenagers, parents and carers a year. actionforchildren.org.uk
• Entries to the Boycott Your Bed Children’s Drawing Challenge must be emailed to [email protected] (postal entries will not be accepted) and you must be 12 or under to enter. The competition closes on Friday 25th June and the winner will be announced on Friday 9th July during the live Boycott Your Bed event. Terms and conditions apply and can be found at boycottyourbed.co.uk/drawing. The winner will receive goodies from Action for Children supporters including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Horrible Histories, The Week Junior and Bloom & Blossom.