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BBC Radio 1 DJ and presenter Greg James today faces further weather–driven havoc in the wake of Hurricane Imogen as he continues on Day Two of BBC Radio 1’s Gregathlon for Sport Relief, a mammoth challenge which sees him attempt to run, swim and cycle a triathlon a day for five consecutive days, across five UK cities.
Today, Greg set off with a cycle through the Welsh Valleys, which he will follow with an indoor swim and a run through Cardiff city centre to the studio. Hurricane Imogen has left a trail of chaos through Wales, forcing the team to reassess and adapt the cycle and running routes last night. Cheering him on today will be All Time Low, who will be running alongside him this afternoon and joining him in the studio for his radio show from 4pm on Radio 1.
Yesterday Greg covered over 50 miles of ground, tackling an 800m swim, a 40 mile cycle and a 9.8 mile run. Despite suffering a puncture at the start of his cycle, Greg made it to the studio in time for his 4pm show and was joined by The Saturdays’ Mollie King. Greg James and Alice Levine then challenged listeners to raise the fundraising total to over £25,000, and in exchange Mollie presented the Official Chart Update. Thanks to his efforts, Radio 1 listeners and Sport Relief supporters exceeded this target. As of 9.40am this morning (Tuesday 9th February) Radio 1’s Gregathlon for Sport Relief has raised £82,195.
Mollie said “‘I love sport but I could barely last three minutes on a bike, let alone three hours! Greg is doing so well. The support he’s getting is unbelievable and that’s really what is going to spur him on. All of those texts and messages mean so much to him. I was so pleased to come out and give him a cheer”.
Greg’s challenge will see him run, swim and cycle in indoor and outdoor conditions, facing rising fatigue and extensive muscle damage as he repeats his gruelling schedule day after day. Every stroke, pedal and foot-step will be agony, and BBC Radio 1 listeners can follow his painful progress throughout the day as he calls in to every daytime show.
As Greg set off this morning he said “I'm really tired today, I didn't factor in the travelling between cities in the evening. If it was in one city it might have been easier but it's not meant to be easy! It's all for such an important cause though - imagine if you woke up this morning and your house had been destroyed and you just had to flee. Essentially that is what has happened to Syrian refugees. It's so heart-breaking and that is why I am being spurred on to do this. This challenge is very difficult but there are no half measures from me, I've got to go for it, so Sport Relief can use the money to help those in need."
Keeping the momentum going each day will undoubtedly take its toll but, having seen first-hand how the money is used to make a difference, Greg is determined to raise as much cash as possible for Sport Relief and to inspire the nation to do their bit and get involved. In January Greg travelled to Jordan to meet displaced families living in desperate conditions. He visited a nursery within the Azraq refugee camp and saw how Comic Relief funding is helping to give young children back their childhoods. The money raised through Sport Relief could help more children like these get a vital education, and support their families to maintain a crucial sense of community.
The incredible feat kicked off in Belfast on Monday 8th February, and Radio 1 listeners will be able to track Greg as he broadcasts his Radio 1 show (from 4pm) from a new Sport Relief Flagship Games City every day, criss-crossing his way around the nation via Cardiff, Glasgow and Sheffield before storming across the finish line in Norwich on Friday 12th February. He will also be encouraging the public to do their bit at home and sign up to the Sport Relief Games, taking place Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March.
Greg needs the public’s support to keep him going as he takes on his Gregathlon. Donate £3 by texting GREG to 70703* or sponsor him at sportrelief.com/SponsorGreg
Get going like Greg! Walk, run, swim or cycle yourself proud at the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March. There are thousands of events across the UK with flagship Games in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Sheffield, Norwich and London. Find your nearest event at sportrelief.com and sign up now!
Money raised from The Gregathlon will be spent helping people living unimaginably tough lives, with half of the money raised used to make a difference right here in the UK. The other half is used to transform lives across the world’s poorest communities.
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).
