Veteran presenter John Craven delivered a heart-warming announcement on Countryfile, revealing the show's latest charitable endeavour has surpassed all expectations.
A Staggering Sum for Charity
During the episode broadcast on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Craven shared the incredible news that the 2026 Countryfile calendar has already raised a monumental sum for BBC Children in Need. He announced with delight that sales have generated £1,776,082 for the charity.
The calendars, featuring winning shots from the programme's annual viewer photography competition, are priced at £11.99 including postage and remain on sale until January 31st.
A Cornerstone of British Photography
The prestigious Countryfile calendar competition, running for three decades, invites amateur photographers across the UK to submit images of wildlife, insects, flora, and scenery captured within the country. The theme for the 2026 edition was 'wild encounters'.
The competition was launched in June 2025 by presenters including Anita Rani, who highlighted the photographic potential of the UK's landscapes. The previous year's winning shot, entitled 'Seal of Approval' by Ursula Armstrong, graced the cover of the 2025 calendar.
Viewer Reaction to the January Plug
Despite the fantastic fundraising result, some viewers found humour in the calendar being promoted in the second week of January. On social media platform X, one user joked about the 'late calendar plug', while another enquired if discounts were available so late in the month.
Craven, however, focused on gratitude, stating: "So from all of us, to everyone who has bought one of our calendars and helped us raise that amount, a very, very big thank you."
The episode itself was filmed in Northumberland, marking a new beginning to the year. Countryfile continues to air on BBC One and iPlayer on Sundays at 6pm.
