The Duchess of Cambridge launches nature competition with Blue Peter

Blue Peter is once again by royal appointment.

“It encourages creativity, confidence and even a short amount of time – 10-15 minutes outside – makes a huge difference to physical well-being but also to our mental well-being.” – The Duchess tells presenter Lindsey Russell

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has joined forces with the longest running children’s TV programme in the world, Blue Peter, to launch a once-in-a-life-time competition as part of her mission to encourage children and families to get back to nature.

The competition asks Blue Peter viewers to design a sculpture to go into The Duchess’s Back to Nature garden when it arrives at RHS Wisley in September. To inspire families to interact with nature and the outdoors, regardless of where they might live, Her Royal Highness created a special collection of outdoor activity cards to accompany the garden. Two runners-up will also get to design their very own Blue Peter activity card to celebrate this unique garden.

“The Duchess wants to highlight the benefits of the great outdoors and inspire children, families and communities to get back to nature. She is a strong advocate for the importance of early years and the positive impact that nature and the environment can have on childhood development. In the Blue Peter film Her Royal Highness talks about her passion for the great outdoors and how she enjoys getting outside with her family whatever the weather.” – CBBC

The competition will launch on Blue Peter on CBBC today at 5.30pm with a special film that The Duchess made with local school children at Westminster City Council’s Paddington Recreation Ground. Fresh from designing her woodland garden for RHS Chelsea Flower show, Her Royal Highness gets stuck in with pond dipping, planting and team den building with local children and Blue Peter presenter, Lindsey Russell.

The competition is open from today (Thursday 13th June) until midday on Tuesday 25th June. For more details visit the BP site here.

The winning entry will have their sculpture built and installed in The Duchess’s garden at RHS Wisley in September. The garden at Wisley will be inspired by The Duchess’s original RHS Back to Nature Chelsea garden, with the winning Blue Peter sculpture bringing a new and completely original element to the design.