Challenge Anneka

Challenge Anneka was a British television programme, produced by the independent production company Mentorn for the BBC and aired on Saturday evenings on BBC One from 1989 until 1995.

The format of the programme involved the presenter, Anneka Rice, being given a task to accomplish within a certain period of time, usually two or three days. She would have no knowledge of what the task of each particular episode would be before it began, and would have to organise its accomplishment by persuading companies and people to contribute their time and resources for free. The task would usually be in aid of a charitable cause, for example building a play area for children within the local community, or something similar.

Rice would be based during the 'challenges' in a large blue mobile home, and for her frequent trips to persuade companies and people to take part employed a small blue 'four-by-four' buggy. She was also distinguished by her frequent use of her mobile phone to organise the projects, years before they became common everyday objects for people in Britain.

Another trademark aspect of the series would be the frequent on-screen presence of Rice's soundman, Dave Chapman, part of the camera team who followed her around as she attempted to accomplish the challenges and who often found himself having to lend a helping hand.

Must of the popularity of the series came from the tension of whether Rice and her teams of volunteers would accomplish their tasks before the deadlines set. Occasionally they would fail, but usually on such occasions those who had agreed to help out would carry on the following day to complete the work in any case.