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Jo Brand says she ‘feels the hand of history upon her toenails’ as she sets off on Day One of her BT Sport Relief Challenge
Jo Brand this morning set off on day one of her BT Sport Relief Challenge: Jo’s Hell of a Walk, a brutal ordeal which will see the 58-year-old attempt to walk an incredible 150 miles in just seven days. With bitter cold, wind and rain predicted for much of the first day, it will be a harsh start to a long and gruelling week.
The challenge will see her walk east to west right across the width of the country, roughly following the Trans Pennine Trail, finishing in Liverpool next Thursday. The challenge is sponsored by BT, a long-term supporter of Comic Relief challenges since 2009.
Setting off at 8:45am from the Humber Bridge, Jo was joined by members of the public, including Great British Bake Off champion of 2014 Nancy Birtwhistle, who lives in the area, to wish her luck and see her off.
Jo will walk approximately twenty miles today, crossing the Humber Bridge and passing through North Ferriby, Brough and finishing up in Laxton.
“As Jo set off this morning she said: “I can feel the hand of history upon my toenails! I’m not looking forward to this at all. It’s such a long way and I’m not fit, I’m not athletic, and my walking style is best described as ‘fat old woman’. To be honest what I’m really worried about at this stage is that I might fall over or need the loo after five minutes!”
Starting out her career as a psychiatric nurse, Jo has spent many years since her rise to fame raising awareness about mental health issues - so it is fitting that during her journey she will highlight the work that Sport Relief does around mental health and issues that impact women and girls across the UK and the world’s poorest communities. Jo will be joined by famous friends and people helped by funded Sport Relief projects along the route to spur her on.
Jo needs the public’s support to keep her going as she is taking one Hell of a Walk. Sponsor Jo at sportrelief.com/sponsorjo
Inspired by Jo’s challenge? Then take on your own challenge by signing up to the Sport Relief Games - go to sportrelief.com to find out how
The BT Sport Relief Challenge: Jo’s Hell of a Walk isn’t the first Sport Relief Challenge BT has sponsored. From John Bishop’s Week of Hell, David Walliams’ epic swims and who could forget Davina McCall’s brave run, cycle and swim across the country, BT has been there all the way.
BT will again be supporting Sport Relief through the BT Speaking Clock and Chat for Change Day. Between 18th January and 20th March 2016, for every call made from a BT fixed line in the UK to the BT Speaking Clock, BT will donate 10p to Sport Relief.*
On Tuesday, 26 January 2016, BT will also hold Chat for Change Day, where 1p from every call made from a BT fixed line in the UK will be donated to Sport Relief.**
Over the course of the ‘BT Sport Relief Challenge: Jo Brand’s Hell of a Walk’ BT has committed to help raise at least £350,000 for Sport Relief.
All the ups and downs of Jo’s challenge will be captured for a BBC documentary, to be broadcast in the run up to Sport Relief Weekend, which is taking place from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March.
ENDS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Red Nose Day Media Team:020 7820 2500media@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)Press area07984510473 (out of hours only)
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity which aim to create a just world, free from poverty – where everyone is safe, healthy, educated and empowered. Since 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £1 billion. That money has helped, and is helping, people living incredible tough lives, both here at home in the UK and across the world.
For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please visit comicrelief.com.
Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).
For the latest news, statements and exclusive content direct from the Comic Relief Press Office follow @ComicReliefNews(opens in new window).
