CHILDREN in Need's appeal show will return to our screens on Friday, November 19 - and we want to hear from Somerset residents doing amazing things to raise money. 

Celebrities including Laura Whitmore, Joe Wicks MBE and Professor Green are backing the BBC charity's appeal to help disadvantaged young people.

They have featured in a short video to support the 2021 fundraising appeal - 'Together, We Can' - alongside Giovanna Fletcher, Ade Adepitan MBE, Lady Leshurr, Nikki Lilly and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

In the video, released today, the celebrities reflect on their experiences of mental health, poverty, disability, and bereavement, with the aim of showing children and young people facing disadvantages they are not alone and to give them hope that things can get better.

The video also aims to provide advice, reassurance, and hope for those facing unimaginable challenges to reinforce the message that together, we can show children and young people that there are better days ahead.

Love Island host Whitmore said: "Children and young people across the UK are currently facing a multitude of challenges, including illness, poverty, mental health problems, isolation, loneliness and social injustice, but there is always hope, and there is always kindness.

"Please do all you can to help make a difference this year, I promise you it will lead to amazing things for children and young people who really do need our support. Together, we can change young lives."

Professor Green (real name Stephen Manderson) added: "When I was a kid, the phrase 'mental health' wasn't something that you heard anywhere.

"There was no help really, and I didn't know how to ask for it because I didn't really understand what I was feeling myself.

"You are resilient, and you are strong. Open up and tell someone how you’re feeling.

"Do not suffer in silence. Never suffer in silence."

Somerset County Gazette: SUPPORT: Lady Leshurr, Nikki Lilly and Professor Green have also backed the appealSUPPORT: Lady Leshurr, Nikki Lilly and Professor Green have also backed the appeal

Presenter and wheelchair basketball player Adepitan said in the video: "Children in Need put money towards one of my first basketball wheelchairs, and it totally changed my life.

"It was literally the start or the catalyst for my sporting career, and I probably wouldn’t have achieved half of the things that I’ve done in my life if it wasn’t for that chair and if it wasn’t for BBC Children in Need.

"Together, we can help more children and young people across the UK realise their dreams."

Children in Need is currently funding over 2,500 local charities and projects across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages.

Are you going to be raising money for Children in Need?

Every year, people across Somerset put on fundraising campaigns to raise money for Children in Need.

We want to hear from people, businesses or schools putting on fundraising events or completing challenges to raise money in the run-up to the appeal show on November 19. 

Let us know by filling in the form below or by emailing tom.leaman@newsquest.co.uk, and we will share some of our favourites on the County Gazette website.