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Professional racing driver and double leg amputee, Billy Monger is taking on Billy’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge
The challenge will see him take on a gruelling 140-mile triathlon-inspired event across England, in four days The action will be filmed for a BBC One documentary
Money raised this year will help tackle issues such as homelessness, domestic abuse and mental health stigma, and support those impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic
For more info visit comicrelief.com/rednoseday
CLICK HERE FOR ASSETS: CLIPS AND PHOTOS(opens in new window)
Professional racing driver and double leg amputee, Billy Monger, will push himself to the limit as he takes on Billy’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge which will see him attempt to walk, cycle and kayak over 140 miles in four days, for Red Nose Day.
Later this month, Billy, who lost both of his legs in a racing accident three years ago, will tackle huge distances on foot, take to freezing open waters by kayak, and endure day long stretches on a bike, all while battling the unpredictable British weather to cover 140 miles in four days, with Billy finishing at the world famous race circuit, Brands Hatch, in Kent.
Having started racing at just six-years-old, Billy, now aged 21, quickly became one of Britain’s most exciting young talents within the world of competitive motor racing and became the Super 1 National Honda Cadet Champion at the age of 10. In April 2017, following a devastating crash during a British F4 race at Donington Park circuit, Billy was left with life-changing injuries, resulting in the amputation of both his legs. However, Billy’s resilience and resolve saw him back behind the wheel within a year and back to winning ways, which led to being awarded the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in 2018.
Billy said: “It still feels so surreal that I’m doing this for Red Nose Day - that I’m doing 140 miles, in disciplines that I haven’t got any experience in at all. I haven’t cycled since my accident, three years ago and I’ve never kayaked in my life, so I’m going to have to get the hang of the gear pretty quickly, especially to cover the distances that we’re doing. So, it’s nerve wracking but it’s exciting.
“I never thought I’d be doing a Red Nose Day challenge of my own. I remember watching people like David Walliams and John Bishop when I was younger and never ever would I have imagined myself in their shoes. But the reason I said yes is because I really hope we can raise lots of money for people that need support. It’s such a difficult time right now for everyone and I’m really proud to be able to do something to help."
Billy has been training for the challenge for a couple of months now and has been working with specialists and trying out new bikes and kayaks to ensure he has the best equipment available. Billy has also been helped and advised through Zoom training sessions by Wildwater World Champion and Team GB Coach Hannah Brown, two-time World Paratriathlon Champion Hannah Moore, Paralympic Talent Coach Becky Hewitt and Billy’s long-time trainer, Andy Wellfare to ensure he has the best levels of training and professional advice before taking on this challenge.
People at home will be able to see all the highs and lows of Billy’s challenge in an hour-long special documentary, filmed by a reduced crew that will be adhering to strict Covid-19 guidelines throughout the challenge, on BBC One.
The money Billy raises will help tackle important issues including homelessness, hunger, domestic abuse and mental health problems, all of which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, including those now reliant on food banks, and provide vital funding to under resourced front line charities as they adapt and navigate through these difficult uncertain times.
Ahead of his challenge, Billy visited Fight 4 Change, a boxing project in London which is supported by Comic Relief. The project works with young people, offering them boxing, mentoring, mental health support and peer-buddying systems to help overcome isolation and help navigate the many challenges they face.
Billy added: “I loved seeing how donations to Red Nose Day have been helping Fight 4 Change. I’m so grateful to the team there for showing me the amazing work they do and telling me how sport has such a positive impact on young people’s lives and helped them get through incredibly tough times. I’ll think of this when the challenge gets really hard and know it will be all worth it to hopefully raise some much-needed money."
To find out more and support Billy go to comicrelief.com/rednoseday
Billy’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge, a 1x60', is made by TwoFour. It was commissioned by Kate Phillips, Acting Controller, BBC One and Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Popular Factual and Factual Entertainment. The Commissioning Editor is Michael Jochnowitz and the Executive Producer is David Brindley and Nic Patten.
ENDS
ASSETS AVAILABLE HERE(opens in new window):
Selection of images of Billy Monger during training with his bike and kayak
Images of Billy visiting Fight 4 Change, a project funded by Comic Relief
Images of Billy wearing official Red Nose Day merchandise
Selection of Billy’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge logo
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Email - media@comicrelief.com
Telephone number - 020 7820 2500
About Red Nose Day 2021
Red Nose Day is back on Friday 19th March 2021 and will aim to bring the UK together to show just how powerful humour can be through the toughest of times
It has never felt more important to raise smiles and money for those who are struggling more than ever, as the continued impact of COVID-19 brings unprecedented challenges to many
The money raised by Red Nose Day will support people in the UK and around the world, and help tackle hunger, homelessness, abuse and mental health stigma
Schools can pre-order fundraising packs at https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday/fundraise/register/
Visit https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday or follow @ComicRelief on social media for the latest Red Nose Day content, news and information
About Comic Relief Comic Relief raises money to support people living incredibly tough lives. Through humour and stories of hope, we’ve shown that people can make a massive difference. We fund hundreds of amazing organisations who are working on the ground to support the most vulnerable people and communities in society including many of those hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis. This includes vulnerable children and young people, people who are homeless or who have been forced to flee their homes, women and families at risk of domestic abuse and those struggling with existing or new mental health problems.
For more info visit www.comicrelief.com
Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)
About Two Four Twofour has forged a reputation for making ambitious, award-winning factual and factual entertainment shows filled with heart and purpose. Winners of a huge haul of awards in the UK and globally, including at the BAFTAs and Emmys, Twofour is the home of innovative, uplifting and ground-breaking factual content.
Output over the past year includes the ambitious global concert One World: Together at Home (BBC One) which paid tribute to key workers at the height of lockdown, multiple award winning series Educating.... (Channel 4), Cornwall and Devon Walks with Julia Bradbury (ITV), a three-night virtual V Festival (ITV2), award winning Our School (CBBC) and hit series The Real Marigold Hotel (BBC One).
