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C´óÏó´«Ã½'s Blue Peter announced today that it has smashed its 48th annual appeal target.

The Send A Smile Appeal on behalf of the charity Operation Smile is the very first time viewers have been asked to use their make know-how to create something that will be directly used by the appeal's recipients.

This unique call to action struck a chord and tens of thousands of viewers took the time to turn 92,788 unwanted t-shirts into simple surgical gowns smashing the 20,000 target, set at the appeal launch in October 2009, more than four times over.

The gowns, which are worn by children undergoing cleft lip and palette operations, normally each cost £3 to make. This means that Operation Smile will now be able to offer 1850 more operations to children in developing countries who are desperately in need of surgery.

Presenter Helen Skelton said: "Once again Blue Peter viewers have risen to the challenge in their thousands. The whole team is really grateful to all the children who took the time to create a gown for this unique Blue Peter appeal."

Alex Talbot, Executive Director of Operation Smile, says: "Blue Peter's Send A Smile Appeal will change the lives of thousands of children in developing countries who will now be given the chance of a brighter future thanks to some 90,000 pairs of helping hands in the UK."

The Blue Peter Appeals started in 1962 when viewers were asked to donate toys for children who would otherwise have no Christmas presents. It is estimated that the appeals have raised the equivalent of more than £100million in today's money.

The money, which helps causes in the UK and abroad, has helped to buy, amongst other things: two guide dogs, 25 life boats, eight flats for homeless people, 32 ponies, 57 lorries, three caravans, two day centres, six bungalows, 12 houses, 8,350 lavatories and three schools.

Notes to Editors

C´óÏó´«Ã½ won the Children's Channel of the Year Award at the Children's BAFTAs in November 2008 and was named Children's Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Digital Awards in June 2009. Figures show that C´óÏó´«Ã½ is one of the most loved channels for children, reaching more six to 12 year-olds than any other children's channel (in digital homes).

VT