Latest news with #Toddle
Metro
26-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Moment Dragons' Den star who was told she'd ‘amount to nothing' scores £60,000
A Dragons' Den contestant scored a whopping £60,000 investment in her business, despite previously being told she'd 'never amount to anything'. Tonight, the BBC is airing an episode from 2022 that saw former Royal Air Force member Hannah Saunders pitch her business, Toddle, which sells skincare for adventurous kids. Hannah began by explaining she joined the RAF after her parents told her she'd 'never amount to anything' and it was during her time in the armed forces that she developed a passion for adventures and travel. After becoming a mother, Hannah shared her love for the outdoors with her kids, and founded her business when she realised they had chapped lips and wind-burned cheeks. When Dragon Peter Jones asked Hannah if her parents' opinion of her had changed since she launched Toddle, she replied: 'I have no idea, they haven't spoken to me in years.' Peter replied: 'I'm devastated to hear that on your behalf.' Hannah added that it had taken 'years' and 'some therapy', but she was 'through the other side of it now'. When asked where her drive came from, Hannah said that as well as doing it for her two boys, aged three and six, 'There's a small part of me that wants to prove my parents wrong.' The Dragons were moved by Hannah's story, with Steven Bartlett telling her: 'I think you should be incredibly proud of yourself and it's made me a little bit emotional, which is quite rare.' Sara Davies added: 'My word, you are impressive. Honestly, I feel a little bit in awe of you.' Meanwhile, Deborah Meaden dubbed Hannah 'faultless', while Touker Suleyman turned to her and said: 'You've got every answer,' after she successfully fielded the Dragons' questions. Hannah received offers from three Dragons and, after a little bit of bartering, secured a joint investment of £60,000 with Steven and Deborah. She has since been dubbed the 'most prepared entrepreneur to ever enter the Den'. After striking a deal, Steven said: 'When I can't find a fault in an entrepreneur, I have no choice but to invest. And I literally couldn't find a fault.' Hannah revealed after leaving the Den: 'All I did was prepare as thoroughly as I could for the day. I really wasn't preempting any kind of reaction from them'. She added: 'To hear those kind words and to say how well I was doing is just a dream come true.' Hannah has since sold Toddle and is now the founder of Pitch Fund and Grow, a company which helps other business founders speak to investors and raise money. More Trending She is also the chief marketing officer a weServed, a platform that supports veterans, and chief growth officer at a tech startup called Nudge. Reflecting on her Dragons' Den experience, Hannah recently wrote in a LinkedIn post: 'I stood on that famous carpet and told my story raw and real. I shared my childhood, my military background, and my big dream. The Dragons saw something in me.' She added: 'For me, building Toddle wasn't just about creating a business; it was about creating value. From the beginning, I had a clear goal to grow the brand and sell. And that's exactly what I did. Toddle has now been acquired by new owners, and I couldn't be prouder of what we achieved.' View More » Dragons' Den is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Scott Mills forced to issue apology after 'holding funeral for Call the Midwife' MORE: How to watch Glastonbury Festival 2025 in the UK: TV channel and live stream MORE: Emmerdale, Coronation Street and EastEnders pulled from schedules next week
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Win fantastic family trip to Lapland with Barnardos & The Irish Sun's annual colouring competition
ON your markers, get set . . . GO! It's Toddle time and once again The Irish Sun has teamed up with children's charity Barnardos for our Big Toddle art contest. Barnardos has 8 Download, print and colour this image to be in with the chance to win, see full details below 8 Top Thomas and her daughter Grace launch Big Toddle colouring competition Credit: Paul Sharp 8 Lap it Lapland trip is up for grabs with thanks to Sunway And to ensure all these little fundraisers are entertained afterwards, we are asking all budding artists to download and colour a pic by top illustrator Chris Judge and enter it in our Big Toddle competition. This year's Big Toddle theme is Little Heroes and radio and TV star Kathryn, who has 'Knowing that all funds raised are going directly to Barnardos Early Years Services makes this campaign all the more meaningful. READ MORE IN BARNARDOS 'Smallies from creches all over Ireland walking half a mile to raise awareness of kids their own age less fortunate than themselves is a powerful message.' Kathryn, who is also mum to seven-year-old Ellie, added: 'I'd encourage everyone where they can to support the Barnardos Big Toddle and to get involved in The Irish Sun's Big Toddle colouring competition.' Your child's colouring talent could help make it a Christmas to remember, thanks to our wonderful top prize — A family of four (two adults and two children) will win an MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Every moment is thoughtfully planned to create a stress-free, magical holiday. Speaking about The Irish Sun/Barnardos colouring comp, Sunway CEO Mary Denton said: 'We are proud to sponsor this year's competition, a celebration of creativity, imagination, and self-expression.' RTE's Louise Duffy calls for support of Barnardos Big Toddle to help raise funds for charity's great work She added: 'This is our third year doing so and we are so delighted to support the work that Barnardos do throughout Ireland. 'They work so hard and diligently to support children who are vulnerable and their families.' 'Creative competitions like this are a powerful way to engage families and spark conversations, helping to raise vital awareness of the work we do to HOW TO ENTER Download the colouring page image at the top of this article and email us your finished picture by sending a PDF or photo to features@ or post it to: The Irish Sun, Macken House, 39/40 Mayor Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C9W8. To accompany the finished picture we would like each child to send us a photo of themselves with their creation. And don't forget to include your child's name, date of birth, address and contact number. The closing date for entries is Saturday, June 7, 2025. Irish Sun Editor Fiona Wynne added: 'It's wonderful to team up with Barnardos and Sunway once again on our most popular and colourful campaign of the year.' EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC Visiting Santa in Lapland is a magical experience unlike any other and the Irish Sun and Sunway can make that happen for you and your family. A family of four - two adults and two children - will win an Enchanted Escape Sunway package and can go and visit Santa and enjoy all the magical Christmas festive fun. Nestled in a snowy wonderland of twinkling forests and cosy log cabins, Sunway brings childhood dreams to life. Lapland creates family memories that last forever. Sunway, a trusted name in Irish travel, offers carefully curated Lapland experiences that bring you right into the heart of the Arctic Circle. From the moment you arrive at Dublin Airport, you enter the magic and joy of a Christmas holiday. Sunway's trip to Lapland is more than just a holiday; it's a collection of treasured moments — a child's wonder at meeting Santa, the thrill of racing through snowy forests, and the peaceful beauty of the polar landscape. It's the perfect blend of adventure, magic, and family bonding, wrapped in the purest white of the Arctic. Sunway's Lapland holiday includes unforgettable activities such as husky sled rides, snowmobiling, and reindeer sleigh journeys through the wilderness. 8 Festive magic with Sunway at Lapland 8 On your and Grace Credit: Paul Sharp 8 Ambassador Louise Duffy and youngsters launch 2025 Big Toddle for Barnardos Credit: Patrick Bolger 8 The Barnardos Big Toddle has raised an incredible €4.84million over the years 8 Sunway's incredible Christmas experiences are available now Of course, the highlight for many is the visit to Santa Claus himself. Children's faces light up as they travel to a secret location to meet Santa in his cosy, traditional cabin, a truly magical experience they will never forget. Sunway have thought of everything from the cosy accommodation to the warm snowsuits and boots for your trip. Every moment is thoughtfully planned to create a stress-free, magical holiday. Sunway has some great Lapland trips for November and December 2025. Sunway has everything done for you – flights, accommodation and fun and you can book now and spread your payments with the Sunway payment plan. Return flights, accommodation, a 20kg baggage allowance, activities and meals as per your itinerary are all included. As are thermal suits and boots, husky, reindeer and snowmobile rides, a festive dinner, Santa's secret hideaway, a private meeting with Santa and so much more. So if you're looking for a truly magical Christmas experience, a visit to see Santa in Lapland is a must. Book now on COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS A FAMILY of four (two adults and two children 12 and under) will win an Enchanted Escape Sunway package and can go and visit Santa to enjoy all the magical Christmas festive fun. The prize includes return flights, accommodation, 20kg baggage allowance, activities as per your itinerary, thermal suit and boots, husky, reindeer and snowmobile rides, a festive dinner, Santa's secret hideaway and a private meeting with Santa. Winners will be departing from Dublin for two nights from November 23, 2025. Prize cannot be exchanged for cash or transferred to 2026. Visit Winner and guests must hold valid travel insurance for the holiday duration. Failure to attend for any reason whatsoever on the travel dates agreed and booked does not entitle the winner to an alternative prize and the prize will be deemed to have been forfeited. The promoter reserves the right to substitute prize of equal value if a prize element becomes unavailable for any reason whatsoever. Holiday is non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash. Holiday must be booked directly with Sunway head office, Marina House, Clarence Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Any costs incurred additional to the prize package elements listed (e.g. telephone charges, excursions, spa treatments, etc.) will be at the winner's own expense. Any requested or permitted upgrades or changes to the stated holiday prize will be at the winner's own expense. Prizes are as stated and are non-exchangeable and non-transferable. There is no cash alternative to the prizes in whole or in part. The winner will be notified within 14 days after the end of the competition and they need to confirm acceptance of the prize within seven days of having been notified. Competition organisers' decisions are final. The competition is open to children aged ten and under as of June 17, 2025. Barnardos and Sunway will select the winners. By entering, you consent to The Irish Sun publishing in newspaper and online platforms any image(s) of the entrant talking about their submission, submitted in connection with that artwork. Such consent may be withdrawn by a parent or guardian (who may also request deletion of the material) using the competition contact details. Publication of the material will be used for purposes solely relating to the Barnardos Big Toddle. See Barnardos Registered Charity Number 20010027 and CHY6015. For more info on the Barnardos Big Toddle, see
