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Journey will see celebrity team pitted against some of the hardest driving conditions in the world as they lead a convoy of vital supplies
With just six days to deliver crucial supplies, travelling hundreds and hundreds of miles across East Africa – what could possibly go wrong?
Public can follow Convoy live across social media and on BBC Breakfast and The One Show – and see how Comic Relief cash is changing lives as it happens
Look out for a BBC documentary in the lead-up to Red Nose Day, back on 24th March
The Red Nose Convoy hits the road today, as six famous faces set-out on “the mother of all road trips” across East Africa to deliver essential supplies that will help Comic Relief funded projects to continue to deliver life-saving health work.
Hugh Dennis, David Baddiel, Reggie Yates, Michaela Coel, Russell Kane and Katy Brand are leading a convoy from Kenya to Uganda, taking on hellish roads and challenging terrain as they show Comic Relief’s supporters how the money they have raised is helping to transform lives. Travelling hundreds, and hundreds of miles, and with just six days to complete the task – how will they cope and what could possibly go wrong?
Travelling in pairs, the celebrities will be acting as vital outriders – guiding the convoy as it makes its way along one of the most challenging roads in Africa to ensure the vital supplies reach their destinations. Along the way they will be faced with unbelievably tough driving conditions, including elephant size potholes, sheer escarpments and horrendous traffic, not to mention inquisitive baboons and other local wildlife. Throughout the course of the trip, supporters at home will be able to join the ride via the @RedNoseDay Twitter handle to see if the celebrity team has what it takes to deliver the life changing cargo.
Swapping their home comforts for the tough realities of life on the road, the famous six will be well and truly in the driving seat as they take it in turns behind the wheel. Despite the pressure there will no doubt laughs along the way as well. David Baddiel and Hugh Dennis go back a long way, but if anything can test a relationship it's an upside down map and punishing driving terrain.
There could be some bumps along the way for comedians Katy Brand and Russell Kane too as they adapt to spending so much time as a twosome. Katy says, “I’m going to create a code for social media so if I need help someone can come and get me out!”
Also travelling together are documentary maker Reggie Yates and comedy writer and actress Michaela Coel who will push their driving skills to the limits as the Red Nose Convoy takes on the serious task in hand.
Every day of the year, Comic Relief cash is hard at work changing lives across Africa and right here in the UK. For the first time ever, the Red Nose Convoy will take the public on a live journey showing how their money is converted into crucial supplies and used to fund projects transforming lives of people living in some of the poorest communities in the world.
During their journey, the team will learn about HIV prevention, treatment and care - as well as the nurturing of children who’ve lost their parents to AIDS. They’ll see how, with the right tools, skills and knowledge, life-threatening malaria can be prevented, diagnosed and treated. They’ll also see how important it is for pregnant women to receive the pre and post-natal care they need to give birth to healthy babies without putting their own lives at risk.
You can follow the Red Nose Convoy live at rednoseday.com/convoy(opens in new window) and on the Red Nose Day social media channels. Tune into BBC Breakfast and The One Show next week for live interviews with the celebrities on the road. The film of this tough, eye-opening challenge will be shown in the lead up to Red Nose Day which is back on 24th March 2017
Follow the Red Nose Convoy on Twitter @RedNoseDay and @ComicReliefNews, on Facebook at Comic Relief: Red Nose Day and Instagram @rednoseday
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).
