Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (SNT) returned to our screens on February 24 for its 20th and final series. The Geordie lads promised that the final series would be unlike any other Takeaway that had gone before.
This was certainly true for 10-year old, Ella Bacon from Lechlade who had no idea that she would be appearing on the show and win a holiday for her family in the show’s Takeaway Getaway! The family can now choose any holiday from around 130 resorts across 40 country destinations donated by TUI or a cruise with Marella Cruises.
The ITV show’s producers read about Ella in social media posts written by local reporter, Chris Roberts MBE and then contacted her. “I was sworn to secrecy,” explained Chris. “But I was allowed to tell Anna Marie, Ella’s mum so she could be in the secret as well!”
Anna Marie said: “This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do – keep this secret from my wonderful daughter. I am so proud of Ella. Everything she has done for Lechlade Library has been her own idea.”
Declan Donnelly announced live on television that they were about to film a family in Gloucestershire and surprise Ella Bacon, who had organised a Readathon and fundraised for her local library. Dec said: “Ella has saved their bacon!”
While Ella had her hands clasped to her mouth in surprise, Ella’s dad, John threw his arms in the air and jumped for joy! Ella said afterwards: “I didn’t realise it was me. I thought it was someone else with the same name!”
So far, Ella has organised a Readathon at her Lechlade Primary school and raised £1,017.42 on a Just Giving page. Ella had initially set out to raise just £100, so raising over £1,000 was a welcome surprise. Ella said: “I never thought I would be able to raise £100, let alone over a thousand! It is totally amazing.”
So far over £50k has been raised towards Lechlade Library’s target of £78k, which will be used for much needed renovations to the community-run building.
Ella is also organising a book-related competition, which is for primary school-aged children to design a book cover for The Egg Bandits – Eric, Einstein and Englebert – Easter eggs with a difference!
Future fundraising includes a raffle with the draw taking place at 12 noon on Saturday April 13 at Lechlade Library. Ella will be guest of honour drawing the winning tickets. For a chance to win, contact info@lechladelibrary.co.uk with name, contact details and DRAW in the subject box.
