BBC Wiltshire staff will be attempting to pull a giant Great Bustard bird around five Wiltshire towns and cities - Trowbridge, Swindon, Chippenham, Malmesbury and Salisbury – in the run up to the 2019 appeal.

The giant replica of the iconic Wiltshire bird will be attached to a trailer and hand-pulled 50 miles, over five days, by a team of staff including breakfast show presenter Ben Prater.

Taking place from Monday to Friday, November 11-15, the team will visit schools, businesses and town centres where locals will be encouraged to ‘Stuff the Bustard’ with money to raise funds for BBC Children in Need.

The BBC Wiltshire team will be in Trowbridge on Monday, Swindon on Tuesday, Chippenham on Wednesday, Malmesbury on Thursday and Salisbury on Friday.

Mr Prater said: “The team can’t wait to get going with the fundraising challenge for BBC Children in Need!

"Our giant Great Bustard will be pulled 50 miles around five towns and cities in Wiltshire and we will be encouraging locals along the way to help us raise funds by filling it with cash."

“Not only will this challenge support this year’s BBC Children in Need Appeal, we also hope it will inspire children and schools across the area to learn about the volunteers who have worked hard to ensure one hundred Great Bustards are now back living in the Wiltshire landscape after the bird was hunted to extinction – we are all delighted it has returned.”

Stuff the Bustard

BBC Wiltshire’s Breakfast Show presenter Ben Prater is pulling a giant inflatable Great Bustard bird around the county for Children in Need. He and a team of helpers are aiming to cover 50 miles in 5 days – and they need you to come out and Stuff the Bustard with cash to raise as much money as possible. They’ll be visiting five Wiltshire towns and cities and asking for your help both pushing the bustard and stuffing it with money. The team will also be visiting schools along the route – and are encouraging children to decorate bustard masks to wear for the visits.

If you’d like to help push the bustard, or would like to arrange for the bustard to visit for your local school or workplace, email wiltshire@bbc.co.ukor call 0800 028 33 66.

The Route

Monday 11 November – Trowbridge Town Centre

Tuesday 12 November – Swindon

  • North Swindon and Orbital Shopping Park – AM*
  • Swindon McArthurGlen Designer Outlet centre – Lunchtime*
  • Old Town - PM*

Wednesday 13 November – Chippenham Town Centre

Thursday 14 November – Malmesbury Town Centre

Friday 15 November – Salisbury City Centre