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Jo Brand today is joined by fellow comedian and old friend Alan Davies who will be keeping her spirits lifted as she sets off on day two 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.
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 7.30am from Laxton this morning, Jo will walk for approximately 20 miles today, across the River Ouse, through Goole, the Peatlands and finishing up in Thorne. This will make for a particularly gruelling afternoon.
Yesterday saw members of the public come out in force to cheer Jo along, including a huge crowd at her final stop in Laxton. Over £1,500 was raised in bucket collections from people she passed throughout the day, with £500 from The Bricklayers Arms Pubs in Laxton.
Last night Jo said ‘It’s been amazing to see so much support from the public. Today has been a very long day. I’m absolutely exhausted, my legs are very sore and I was just thrown into a very cold bath (and pummelled by a big scary bloke), but I think I can get through another day without crying’.
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.*
So far £81,425 has been raised to support Jo, including funds raised by BT. 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.
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).
