Sunday night's edition of BBC One's beloved rural affairs programme, Countryfile, was briefly interrupted for a significant announcement from veteran presenter John Craven.
A Pause for a Charitable Cause
As the episode drew to a close, host Charlotte Smith turned to the camera, noting that it was not too late to purchase a special item. "I know it's January, but it's not too late to get your hands on one of these," she said, introducing the Countryfile calendar, which is sold in aid of BBC Children in Need.
She then handed over to John Craven, who appeared on screen with the important update. Craven confirmed that a minimum of £5.50 from each calendar sale is donated to the charity. He urged viewers who had not yet bought one to act quickly, as the calendars remain on sale only until January 31st.
An Incredible Fundraising Total Revealed
The host then delivered the standout news of the segment. "I'm delighted to announce that so far the 2026 Countryfile calendar has raised for BBC Children in Need an incredible £1,776,082," Craven revealed.
He extended a heartfelt thank you on behalf of the entire Countryfile team to everyone who had purchased a calendar and contributed to the impressive sum. This latest figure continues the programme's strong tradition of charitable support, following the previous year's effort which raised more than £2.3 million for the same cause.
Episode Highlights and Calendar Theme
The announcement came at the end of an episode that featured hosts Adam Henson and Charlotte Smith exploring Devon's Exe Estuary. Segments included a look at communities protecting the estuary, a poignant investigation into domestic abuse in rural areas, and a visit to a new nature reserve using dead wood to boost biodiversity.
The 2026 calendar, which prompted the special broadcast pause, features the theme 'Wild Encounters'. Each month showcases one of the twelve finalists from the annual Countryfile Photographic Competition.
The news was warmly received on social media, with viewers on X (formerly Twitter) sharing that they had just purchased their calendars online to support the fundraiser.
Countryfile continues every Sunday at 6pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
