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Arielle Free has cycled for 50 hours over five days, across five cities, whilst DJing live in her ‘Tour de Dance’ challenge for Red Nose Day
Jordan North confesses just two hours on the bike were ‘awful’
Arielle ‘utterly speechless’ to have raised an incredible £561,667 so far for Comic Relief, to help support people who are facing the toughest times of their lives
Red Nose Day returns on Friday 17 March
There is still time to donate and support Arielle’s ‘Tour de Dance’, please visit: www.comicrelief.com/arielle(opens in new window)
Friday 10 March 2023: Arielle Free has completed her epic challenge for Red Nose Day and has this morning learned the final total raised now stands at an amazing £561,667 so far!
Yesterday, broken but not beaten Arielle, tackled the streets of Liverpool for the final day of her ‘Tour de Dance’ challenge for Red Nose Day. Arielle has managed to keep the DJ decks turning AND the wheels spinning for 50 hours across five cities, all whilst DJing live, to raise life-changing money for Comic Relief.
The past five days has seen Arielle face amber weather warnings, forcing herself to pedal through freezing temperatures, howling winds and snowstorms and she struggled through the cities of York, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, and finally Liverpool. At one point, the extreme conditions even caused the DJ decks to cut out, forcing Arielle to perform on her phone whilst the issue was fixed, yet still she powered through and kept going.
Arielle tackled this challenge of a lifetime on a heavy and hefty 10-person bike, without gears. She was joined by admirable Radio 1 listeners as well as some famous faces along the way, including Vick Hope, Matt Edmonson, Jordan North, Katie Thistleton and Clara Amfo, to help get her over the finish line.
Arielle was astounded by the constant support she experienced on the road and from Radio 1 listeners, receiving good luck messages from people across the country and celeb well-wishers such as Calvin Harris and Tom Grennan who re-wrote his hit song ‘Little Bit of Love’ to ‘Liverpool in Love’ for Arielle.
Crossing the finish line, Arielle broke down in tears before joining an emotional Vick Hope and Jordan North to hear how much she had raised at that moment.
Arielle said: “I’m utterly speechless, to raise over half a million pounds for such an amazing cause, I just don’t know what to say.
“This has truly been the toughest thing I have ever done in my life and there were days where I was genuinely so concerned I wouldn’t get through it. I’ve had to dig deeper than ever before, and I know I wouldn’t have made it to the finish line without the support of those who joined me on the bike and by you at home who have done nothing but spur me on! Thank you.”
Jordan North said: “All the Radio 1 family are so proud of Arielle, she’s proven this week how amazing she is. We all know and love her for her funny and infectious personality on air, so it’s been really tough to hear how broken she’s been at times. I was on that bike for just two hours, and it was awful, the weather has been horrific but what she has achieved this week is nothing short of incredible. Thank you to the wonderful Radio 1 listeners who have reached into their pockets and helped spur our girl on, you always amaze us and we will forever be grateful for your generosity.”
After visiting a project in Luton called ‘Mind Our Music’ through Music24, which helps people who have experienced mental health problems, Arielle understands how the money raised will go on to help change lives. From those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, homelessness, mental health problems, and food poverty, this money will help to support people here in the UK and around the world.
There is still time to donate and support Arielle’s ‘Tour de Dance’, please visit comicrelief.com/arielle(opens in new window)
ENDS
ASSETS AVAILABLE
Project visit film (see below for details)
ARIELLE’S PROJECT VISIT For more information on Arielle’s visit to a project funded by Comic Relief, and to use the film documenting the visit, please get in touch with the Comic Relief Media team on: media@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Red Nose Day PR Team: 020 7820 2500 media@comicrelief.com(opens in new window) comicrelief.com/media-centre Out of hours enquiries: 07984 510 473
NOTES TO EDITORS
About BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is the UK’s No.1 youth station, targeting 15 to 29 year-olds with a distinctive mix of new music and programmes focusing on issues affecting young people. The station is the soundtrack to young people's lives in the UK and has been for over 50 years.
For more information, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/radio1(opens in new window)
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).
