Zoe Ball launches Radio 2’s Big Bee Challenge

On her Breakfast Show this morning, Zoe Ball launched Radio 2’s Big Bee Challenge – a new initiative to shine a light on the plight of our bee population.

It includes a competition for children to design a garden that will attract bees and other pollinating insects.

The winner’s design will be built at an NHS Trust site which is used by children and young people with mental health needs.

There’s also a Big Bee Challenge Weekend on Saturday 31 July and Sunday 1 August when we’ll all be encouraged to do one thing, large or small, to help the bees.

As a part of it, there will be lots of tips on-air, on the station’s website and a podcast, Bees In A Pod, will be available on BBC Sounds in July.

The Royal Horticultural Society is partnering with Radio 2 for the campaign, with their garden experts building the winning design, and through engagement with schools and their website, which has lots of information.

Zoe Ball said: “I’m positively buzzing about the Big Bee Challenge, it’s such an exciting new initiative for Radio 2.

“Our younger listeners can draw, paint or sketch a picture to show their design for a fabulous garden that will attract bees and insects, and we will build the winning entry. How fantastic is that! And anyone can get involved in Big Bee Challenge Weekend by doing something, however small, to help encourage more bees in our outside spaces.

“Knowing just how important the plight of bees is, I feel so passionate about this campaign – it’s already got me thinking about what I can do for them in my garden!”

Radio 2’s Big Bee Challenge is a three-year project to raise awareness and encourage listeners to help create a better environment to support bees and other pollinating insects.

? Radio 2’s Big Bee Challenge, in partnership with @the_rhs, aims to encourage us all to help create a better environment for the bees ?

Firstly – we're launching a competition for children under 12 to design a garden to keep our bees buzzing!

Details: https://t.co/qHX2NJxH8X pic.twitter.com/VVQRkAaTeT

— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) June 7, 2021