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One hour documentary captures every ache, pain and step of brutal journey to summit Cairn Gorm Mountain in the Scottish Highlands
Dangerous weather, freezing temperatures and unforgiving terrain push intrepid trio to their physical limits as they trek and wild camp in a bid to scale one of the UK’s highest mountains for Red Nose Day
Money raised will help people through the toughest times of their lives
Red Nose Day returns on Friday 17 March
To support the team’s heroic efforts, please visit comicrelief.com/frozen(opens in new window)
Tuesday 7th March: Emma, Oti and Rylan’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge reveals every step and struggle of Emma Willis, Oti Mabuse and Rylan’s turbulent trek to the top of Cairn Gorm Mountain in the wintry Scottish Highlands to raise life changing money for Red Nose Day.
From wild camping and crampons, to punishing winds and terrain, viewers will see the celebrity trio face the toughest physical challenge of their lives. Airing on Tuesday 14 March at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer, a special one-hour documentary, produced by Twofour, captures every single step of their journey as they battle dangerous weather and freezing temperatures.
To prepare for their extraordinary journey Emma, Oti and Rylan spend two days together in the Scottish Wilderness learning winter survival skills and how to build an emergency shelter. In anticipation of their mountainous climb, the team is given a crash course on how to walk in the snow, making use of their crampons for the very first time, and practice emergency survival techniques.
Setting off in high spirits from the picturesque village of Braemar, the trio are given a rapturous send-off to the beat of the Ballater & District Pipe Band. Leaving civilisation behind, they navigate the foothills of the Southern Cairngorms, and wild camp as they inch closer to the foot of Cairn Gorm.
With dangerous weather conditions fast approaching the Cairngorms, viewers will see the drama unfold as the trio’s summit attempt is put in jeopardy. With the challenge hanging by a thread, crisis talks between the expedition team determine whether the fast-deteriorating conditions, which could pose a danger to life, will stop the devastated trio’s journey in its tracks. Emma, Rylan and Oti wait with bated breath, determined to finish their extraordinary journey to raise life changing money for Red Nose Day.
Emma Willis said: “Without doubt this challenge tested me in so many ways, and I felt pains in places I didn’t know I could feel pain! But there was no way I could say no to such an important cause. Things are so hard for so many people right now and many are living in a time of crisis, making any donation to Red Nose Day even more vitally important.
“Before the challenge I was fortunate enough to be able to visit a project that supports young people who are homeless to learn about the impact of Red Nose Day donations. It’s something I’ll never forget, and the amazing work they do was at the front of my mind on that mountain. I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together."
Oti Mabuse said: “When I signed up to the challenge, I don’t think I fully realised just how tough this was going to be. It was exhausting. Without doubt, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever taken on, which I think people will see in the documentary. We knew exactly why we were doing this – to help raise what we can to help so many people right here in the UK and around the world. It made every test the mountain threw at us worth it. Things are incredibly difficult right now, but if you are able to donate when watching the documentary, it really would mean the world to all three of us. Thank you so much."
Rylan said: “There are still days when I wake up and think we climbed a flipping mountain. It was draining on so many levels. But that feeling once we reached the top, I really wish I could have bottled it up. The feeling was something else. I’ve gone from moaning about walking to put the bins out to climbing a mountain. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I do it with a 20kg backpack on me, absolutely not!
“In all seriousness I couldn’t have done this without Oti and Emma either side of me every step of the way. That and knowing what we were doing was helping to raise money for Red Nose Day. It was all we needed whenever the mountain threatened to dampen spirits. Step by step, it kept us going and drove us on to finish what we’d started."
During the documentary, viewers will also see how money raised by Red Nose Day is helping to support people through the toughest times of their lives. Emma Willis visits Streetlife, an organisation which is funded by Comic Relief and the KFC Foundation and is supporting young homeless people in and around Blackpool. While in Dorset, Rylan and Oti visit the In Jolly Good Company to learn about the support they provide to elderly people at risk of developing physical and mental issues caused by loneliness and isolation.
This Red Nose Day, money raised will help support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, and food poverty here in the UK and around the world.
Watch Emma, Oti and Rylan’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge on Tuesday 14 March at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer. You can support the team's heroic efforts at comicrelief.com/frozen(opens in new window)
ENDS
ASSETS AVAILABLE
Images of Emma, Oti and Rylan taking on their live Red Nose Day challenge, as well as images of them in training for the challenge. Available here (opens in new window)(credit – Comic Relief / Hamish Frost)
Video footage from Emma, Oti and Rylan’s challenge. Videos available include daily round-ups, launch and training videos. Available here(opens in new window)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Red Nose Day PR Team:
020 7820 2500
media@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)
www.comicrelief.com/media-centre(opens in new window)
Out of hours enquiries: 07984 510 473
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day is back on Friday 17 March 2023.
Once a year, we all come together to help those who need it most – and we have a great time doing it. So, this year, whether you bake a cake or sponsor your mates, buy a Red Nose or donate on your phone, let’s make Red Nose Day the best day ever. Together we can help people going through the toughest times of their lives and help them break free from the effects of poverty, in the UK and around the world.
Whatever you’re able to do this year - you’ll be part of something incredible and most importantly you’ll be helping to change people’s lives for the better. Visit www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday(opens in new window) or follow @ComicRelief on social media for the latest Red Nose Day content, news and information.
Red Nose Day is an initiative of Comic Relief.
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief uses the power of humour and popular culture to engage people to help others and raises money to support organisations working towards a just world free from poverty.
Our mission combines Comic and Relief. We believe that helping others can be easy and fun, even in the face of the challenges we face every day.
Everyone should be able to have a decent standard of living and to live life with dignity and respect – but right now, in the UK and around the world, poverty and injustice restrict too many of us. We know that a better world is possible. We provide funding to fantastic organisations who are closest to the communities who can make change happen. We support work that will help to alleviate poverty’s consequences, tackle related injustices, and address the link between climate change and poverty.
For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please visit www.comicrelief.com(opens in new window) or follow @ComicRelief on social media for the latest content, news and information.
Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
