Challenge Anneka: Age UK (Channel 5 Sunday 14 May 2023)

Challenge Anneka: Age UK airs Sunday 14 May 2023 on Channel 5

Anneka’s assignment is to construct seven stores, a village green, gorgeous landscaping, and a cafe for the staff to use during breaks. In addition, the crew is responsible for organising a launch party. In just three short days, too!

Immediately after the team began calling around for potential trades, the build gets off to a roaring start. But it’s becoming obvious that a lack of materials will be a problem, so Anneka soon begins approaching local businesses to beg for drains and timber.

Anneka, realising that she needs 30 people to dig a trench in order to keep the challenge on track, takes advantage of her surroundings by interrupting a local rugby team’s practise and convincing the gents and ladies to help out. The grand opening party still needs to be planned, despite all of this.

Anneka is also out and about, getting to know some of the Dementia Village’s future residents’ loved ones. She finds a way to connect with the elderly people who are suffering from dementia by breaking out into song. Her mother used to serenade her with “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean,” a tune that seems to touch people on a deep emotional level. Once again, the ability to remember is the key to easing the suffering of those who suffer from this debilitating condition.

The construction workers back at the site even get in on the action. The village’s construction has fallen dangerously behind schedule. Anneka requires 50 carpenters on the last day to ensure the project is completed on time. However, the question remains: can she actually deliver? It’s down to the wire to see if Anneka’s biggest challenge ever can be completed in time, and there’s been a flurry of late-night phone calls and extraordinary acts of charity and selflessness.

Season 1 Episode 3

Challenge Anneka will shine the light on everyday heroes and deserving communities at a time when they’ve never needed help more. Across the series the team will meet a wide range of inspirational people who will help Anneka move heaven and earth to achieve these challenges.  

True to form we’ll see Anneka pulling up at secret locations to meet the individuals at the heart of the challenge and be briefed on the task at hand.  With a mountain to climb, her trusty mobile, buggy, lorry and Dave the Soundman in tow – Anneka will be calling in big favours from big brands, big names and big groups of volunteers all keen to lend a hand. 

30 years on from the original series the challenges of course will be new and reflect Britain in 2022, but at its heart the series will still be about incredible people who really want to make a difference to the world they live in.  

What time is Challenge Anneka: Age UK on tonight

Challenge Anneka: Age UK airs Sunday 14 May 2023 at 19:30 on Channel 5

Featured image credit: Channel 5