Share with:
Rugby star Gareth Thomas is taking on the toughest and most intense physical challenge of his career for Sport Relief, pushing himself to the limit to cycle 500 miles across three nations in just seven days.
Kicking off next week in Cardiff, the Tour De Trophy sees Gareth cycle a mammoth 12 hours a day for seven days straight, where his mission is to not only raise life-changing cash for Sport Relief, but also to deliver the BBC Sport Personality of the Year trophy from 2018 winner, Geraint Thomas’ hometown to the lucky 2019 winner - live on stage in Aberdeen.
The former Welsh and British Lions rugby captain will pick up the trophy from Bute Park in Cardiff on Monday 9th December. He will then begin a week-long journey to the P&J Live Arena in Aberdeen where this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year takes place. He will battle the unpredictable British weather, in a heroic attempt to deliver the trophy in time for the crowning of the winner at the culmination of the live awards ceremony on BBC One, from 7pm,Sunday 15th December.
En route, Gareth will travel through three nations and numerous towns and cities, including Ludlow, Warrington, Kendal, Greta Green, Whitburn and Dundee. Gareth will switch between a solo bike and a Quattrocycle, four-person pedal bike, with the additional seats filled with friends and familiar faces from the world of sport and entertainment, as well as people who have been supported by money raised by Sport Relief.
While raising money, Gareth will learn about the work being done to tackle stigma in the UK, that Sport Relief makes possible, and highlight some of the great work being done to tackle injustice on home turf.
Gareth said: “We all deserve to live without being stigmatised for who we are. Everyone deserves acceptance, everyone should be celebrated and feel able to access support. I want to help break the cycle of the stigma and raise vital funds for Sport Relief projects that include supporting mental health issues, homelessness, domestic abuse, LGBTQ+ discrimination and vulnerable people”
On this challenge ahead, Gareth added: “I know this is going to be incredibly tough, I have been training my heart out and the nerves are really building. I am going to really need the support of people across the UK to get me through this.”
Support Gareth at sportrelief.com/Gareth
ENDS
Free launch pictures here: Credit Sam Riley / Comic Relief http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/comicrelief_public?nav=pr654784514
Daily Image upload- Comic Relief via Getty Images https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/search/2/image?events=775448300&sort=newest&family=editorial#license Launch Promo Video: https://youtu.be/KToHbM5jRCU
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Comic Relief Media Team media@comicrelief.com 0207 820 2500
NOTES TO EDITORS: Website: sportrelief.com Social @sportrelief #TourdeTrophy
Follow Gareth on Twitter: @gareththomas14 | Instagram: @GarethThomasOfficial
What is Sport Relief? Sport Relief is coming! 13th March 2020 Sport Relief brings the nation together to get active and raise life changing amounts of money through the power of sport. In an unjust world there will always be poverty. So the money raised by Sport Relief is used to fight inequality in the UK and around the world. Sport Relief powers local change makers, on the ground to ensure people have a safe place to call home, champion better futures for children, reduce violence, fear and discrimination and improve mental health services and support networks. Every penny raised by the public is used to support some of the most vulnerable people in the UK and around the world. While Poverty and injustice exist, Sport Relief will keep fighting.
About Comic Relief Comic Relief is a UK charity with a simple purpose -to create a just world, free from poverty. Comic Relief does this by funding and investing in amazing organisations across the UK and around the world to tackle some of the key issues of our time. Since 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £1.3 billion. That money has helped, and is helping, to improve countless lives. For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please visit www.comicrelief.comComic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)
Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) Sports Personality of the Year will take place in Aberdeen for the first time at the new P&J Live Arena on Sunday, 15 December. Presenters Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan will take to the stage to celebrate the year of sport in front of an audience of 10,000, with millions more watching live on BBC One.
