Charity Tuesday: Action for Children and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Giant Wiggle Day

I don't about you but the Very Hungry Caterpillar was one of our favourite stories when my children were younger. In fact we still have a copy with its own caterpillar to wiggle through the pages. What I hadn't realised was that next March the book is celebrating 45 years (glad to know something is older than me!).

As part of the celebrations charity Action for Children hopes to get the under-5’s active and interacting more through a new national fundraising campaign starting on September 17th. The charity is encouraging children centres, nurseries and groups for the under-5’s across the country to host sponsored ‘Giant Wiggle’ walks on The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day, 20 March 2014, which is also the kick-off of the 45^th anniversary celebration of this beloved children’s book.

The events will bring children together to wiggle along in giant caterpillar conga lines and also encourage them to play and develop their imaginations through storytelling and creativity.

Ruth Sorby, Partnership Fundraising Manager at Action for Children, said: 

“We’re really looking forward to seeing the children at Pebbles taking part in the very first ‘Giant Wiggle’. “Everyone loves The Very Hungry Caterpillar and we hope our launch event will inspire many other ‘Giant Wiggles’ around the country next year, which is also our 145^th anniversary!”

All money raised through the event will support Action for Children’s work across the country to help vulnerable children, young people and families in the heart of communities.

Eric Carle’s reactions upon learning about this project, was enthusiastic and with a chuckle. Carle said, 

“I hope the children will have lots of fun on March 20^th and learn to dance with much joy.”

For more information on how to organise your own ‘Giant Wiggle’ at your nursery or children’s centre visit www.actionforchildren.org.uk/giantwiggle (launches 17 September).