Challenge Accepted: Anneka Rice’s new Channel 5 show calls for artificial grass for big dogs activity area at animal rescue centre in Biggin Hill
Five days before filming the final episode of the revived cult classic TV series, Challenge Anneka, LazyLawn HQ received a plea to help. The call was for hard-wearing, pet-friendly artificial grass, to be supplied and professionally installed at the Foal Farm Animal Rescue Centre in Biggin Hill, Kent. That call was answered by Adrian Wilkinson from LazyLawn Kent.
The area to receive the Challenge Anneka and LazyLawn treatment was around the Activity and Play Area for the larger dogs. Previously laid with now tired artificial turf – to be reused elsewhere in the Centre – the play area was to house tunnels and obstacles to give welcome exercise and outdoor social space for the larger animals.
Foal Farm has been rescuing and rehoming neglected animals in and around Kent for more than 60 years and has rehomed over 500 dogs, cats and smaller animals as well as sanctuary for 100 farm animals on its 26 acre site. Since the pandemic, there has been a 31% decline in dog adoption but at the same time, the number of dogs given up for adoption has skyrocketed because of the cost of living crisis, so Foal Farm desperately needed to improve its facilities.
As is often the case with media projects such as this, timing and flexibility was absolutely imperative. Agreeing to supply the 132 square metres of LazyLawn “Vitality” grass (hard wearing, durable turf, ideal for high use) and provide his installation skills and time for free at such short notice, Adrian liaised with the production team and visited the site for the first time just two days after agreeing to help. It was also just two days before installing and filming. This visit was important to assess the location and access as well as the ground conditions upon which the grass would be laid.
Adrian explains: “We had a number of calls with the LazyLawn head office, the production team and Anneka herself prior to filming to make sure that everything ran smoothly. There were a number of elements to contend with, from the delivery of the product to negotiating the filming schedule, other contractors on site – and the ever-challenging British weather.”
Adrian and Anneka spoke on the phone to set up the project’s delivery, and she also engaged with him throughout filming as the play area progressed. On site first thing on 18 November, it was only from around 4pm that he could start the installation – and did not finish until past 10pm!
The resulting outdoor activity area has given a new lease of life to the space, and allows vital exercise and play space for the bigger dogs. The centre also hasa brand new hydrotherapy pool installed as part of the project.
Anneka thanked LazyLawn and Adrian for their generosity in supplying and installing the grass: Of the final project, she said: “The Challenge was to renovate the dog quarters. We renovated a large drafty hanger, insulating it, and installing state of the art kennels. As well as this we made three areas outside for the dogs, for them to play and relax and we surprised the charity with a hydrotherapy pool. [The landscapers and volunteers] worked day and night and we were elated by the end.”
Ahead of the Kent project completion, Anneka also made an emotional plea on Medway radio to appeal for volunteers to help. Challenge Anneka’s premise is to seek out community projects where help is desperately needed, and Foal Farm and its artificial grass play area was featured in the final 90 minute episode which aired on Channel 5 on Saturday 18 March 2023 at 8.50pm.
