Look To The Stars News: Sport Relief

Olympic Stars Join JLS For Sport Relief Video

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

The music video for JLS’s official Sport Relief single, Proud, sees three British Olympic medal winners join the UK’s hottest pop group to celebrate the UK’s biggest year of sport.

Swimmer and double gold medal winner Rebecca Adlington, triple jumper and silver medal winner Phillips Idowu and gymnast and bronze medal winner Louis Smith star in the music video alongside JLS.

Directed by Ben Winston, who directed and co-wrote the infamous Smithy sketches for Comic Relief, the video sees JLS performing in an empty Wembley Stadium as the stories of three gifted children unfold. One young boy displays a remarkable talent for leaping; another impresses with his acrobatic break dancing abilities; and a young girl dances triumphantly in the rain as others run for cover.

John Bishop's Week Of Hell For Charity

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:30:00 +0000

British comedian John Bishop is about to have one incredibly tough week as he takes on The BT Sport Relief Challenge: Bishop’s Week Of Hell – the second in a series of celebrity challenges sponsored by BT for Sport Relief 2012. Starting on Monday 27th February, it will be the most physically gruelling test of John’s life as he attempts to cycle, row and run over 290 punishing miles from Paris to London in just five days.

John will start the first leg of his challenge by the Eiffel Tower in Paris and will cycle over 185 torturous miles to the coast in less than 24 hours. For the second leg, John is hoping to row from mainland Europe to the UK – an ambitious task for anyone let alone someone who suffers with bad seasickness. To help John navigate the choppy waters and battle the waves he will be joined by a team of celebrity rowers including Andrew Flintoff, Davina McCall and Denise Lewis.

If all that wasn’t enough the final stage of this epic triathlon will see John take on three exhausting marathons in just three days, finishing in Trafalgar Square in London on Friday 2nd March. When John is on his last legs, celebrity mates including Dermot O’Leary, Frank Skinner and Robbie Savage will provide much needed motivation when they run alongside him.

Sport Relief Celebrity Supporters Visit HIV Project

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

An innovative and inspiring project, which uses money raised from Sport Relief to help change lives, opened its doors to no less than 11 famous faces last week.

The celebrity group consisted of Sport Relief supporters actress Barbara Windsor, actors David Tennant, Tom Ellis and Daniel Rigby, presenters Andy Akinwolere, Lizzie Cundy and Mark Austin, choreographer Arlene Phillips, Model Lara Stone, former England cricket captain Claire Taylor and celebrity psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos. And each of them felt deeply moved after seeing just how Sport Relief cash can change lives.

The London-based project, called Body & Soul, provides crucial facilities and support for people affected by HIV. With over 91,000 people in the UK living with the virus, Sport Relief is supporting the organisation to create a safe haven for people living with HIV and educate the public on the unfair stigma based around the infection.

Little Britain Star Awarded For Charity Swim

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0000

TV personality and Sport Relief hero David Walliams beamed with pride as he scooped a National Television Award last week. The award was given in recognition of his enormous achievement in swimming the length of the Thames to raise cash for Sport Relief last autumn.

Presented with the award by Dermot O’Leary, an overwhelmed David struggled to speak over the roaring crowd at the 02 centre in London, where they whole audience erupted into rapturous applause and gave him a standing-ovation.

Eventually, David was able to say,‘’It was the best and worst week of my life. The worst because I had to swim 140 miles and the best because all of you came out to support me and most importantly donated your money to Sport Relief.’

Stars Model Sport Relief T-Shirts

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Sport Relief has launched its 2012 T-shirts, and have enlisted the help of stars such as Amy Childs, Olly Murs, Kara Tointon and Stacey Solomon to help model them.

Amy Childs

TV Star Reaches South Pole For Charity

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:35:00 +0000

British TV presenter Helen Skelton has arrived at the South Pole and completed her grueling 500 mile expedition across Antarctica for Sport Relief – as a result she has become the first person to use a bike as part of an expedition to the South Pole.

Despite having to battle severe snow storms, temperatures as low as – 48 degrees Celsius, numerous blisters, a hacking cough, ongoing tummy troubles and a bad bout of dehydration, Helen covered 500 Antarctic miles in just 18 days by ski, by kite and in a world first by bike. When Helen arrived at the South Pole she celebrated by proudly staking her flag in the frozen ground to mark the end of her incredible journey.

Upon arriving at the South Pole, Helen Skelton said: “This has been a massive adventure and at times it felt like it was never going to end. My body hurts in so many different places, mentally I’m exhausted and I’ve only washed once in the last 30 days, so to be finally standing at the pole feels incredible. I’ve seen how Sport Relief money makes a big difference and that’s why I can’t complain about any part of this because it’s nothing compared to what some people go through every day of their lives.”

Helen Skelton's Charity Polar Challenge To Hit TV Screens

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:45:00 +0000

A special nine-week Blue Peter series, starting on Monday 23rd January at 4.30pm on BBC One, follows fearless Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton’s progress as she sets out to complete a gruelling 500 mile challenge to the South Pole for Sport Relief 2012.

Helen’s Polar Challenge for Sport Relief sees the daredevil presenter take on the toughest adventure of her life – and one of the most demanding physical challenges ever undertaken in aid of Sport Relief. To reach the South Pole, Helen must travel for up to 14 hours a day across the coldest and windiest place on earth, battling ferocious 80mph winds and temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius.

Before landing in Antarctica, Helen spends months preparing for her challenge. First she learns about Roald Amundsen’s and Captain Scott’s treacherous race to the South Pole 100 years ago and meets Britain’s most famous explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes. ‘Super Skelton’ then has to master the three means of transport that she will use to power herself to the pole – ski, kite-ski and – in a world first – by a specially made snow bike. Helen learns to kite surf in Devon, travels to LA to practise on the specially designed bike on sand, learns how to cross-country ski and kite ski in New Zealand and finally, undergoes cold climate training in Iceland.

Helen Skelton Reaches Half Way Point On Charity Polar Journey

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

British TV presenter Helen Skelton has reached the half way point in her epic 500 mile journey to the South Pole for Sport Relief – in the process setting a new Guinness World Records title for the Fastest 100km by kite ski.

Helen covered 100km across Antarctica by kite assisted ski in just 7 hours and 28 minutes, the equivalent of travelling between London and Northampton, and when Helen completed the record the temperature was a bitingly cold – 48 degrees Celsius.

Guinness World Records officials confirmed that, based on GPS data sent via satellite from the Antarctic, a new world record has been achieved. Complete video footage of Helen’s journey will be verified on her return to the UK.

Helen Skelton Sets Off To Bike To The Pole For Charity

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Fearless British TV presenter, Helen Skelton, officially set off on her epic expedition – Helen’s Polar Challenge for Sport Relief – last week.

Helen started her challenge at 83 degrees south, where the temperature was –20 degrees Celsius, and is aiming to travel 500 miles across Antarctica to reach the South Pole by ski, by kite and – in a world first – by bike.

Helen Skelton said: “I am desperate to get started and to get a few miles under my belt. Bad weather delayed the start of my challenge by four days and that means I now have less time to reach the South Pole – so the sooner I get going the more likely I am to finish. I’ve decided to start my polar challenge on my ice bike as I’m determined to prove that you can ride part of the way to the South Pole.”

TV Presenter To Bike To South Pole For Charity

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:30:00 +0000

British TV presenter Helen Skelton is in Antarctica preparing for an usual feat of courage and daring in the name of charity – she hopes to be the first person to bike to the South Pole.

The Blue Peter presenter is raising money for Sport Relief, and will face a multitude of extreme temperatures in her grueling 500 mile journey, using skis, kites and, of course, her bike.

Helen will travel up to 14 hours a day across the coldest and windiest place on earth, battling blizzards and sub-zero temperatures.

Gemma Atkinson Joins Sport Relief Charity Challenge

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:45:00 +0000

THE biggest ever UK Charity Sports Challenge – pitting four nations against each other and starring a host of well-known celebrities, top sportsmen and women and 4000 sport-loving members of the public – is to be one of the highlights of next year’s Sport Relief.

The newly-formed DHL First Nation Home will be the ultimate sporting showdown between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales as the celebrity teams run, row, cycle and sail their way around the UK and Ireland.

The four Teams, which will be made up of celebrities and sports stars representing their “home” country will race over 1000 miles around the UK and Ireland over a seven day period from 10th -17th March 2012.

David Walliams Completes Thames Charity Swim

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Despite facing torrential rain, a nasty dose of ‘Thames tummy’ and a drowning Labrador (which he saved along the way), Little Britian star David Walliams has front-crawled his way 140 miles to the finish line and made it home – but not quite dry!

The comedian set out eight days ago to swim the Thames in the UK to raise money for Sport Relief. Not only did David swim 140 miles of the Thames in just eight days, he did it in unusually cold, windy and rainy conditions, enduring a serious stomach upset and severe exhaustion en route. He even found time to rescue a drowning Labrador!

David Walliams To Swim Thames For Charity

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:30:00 +0000

This September, Little Britain star David Walliams will take to the water once again for charity by swimming the Thames for Sport Relief.

Sport Relief legend David Walliams is almost as well known for his incredible cross-Channel swim, which raised £1 million, as he is for co-creating and starring in Little Britain.

On top of his epic Channel challenge, he also swam the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain to Morocco with James Cracknell in 2008 for Sport Relief.

Alan Shearer Supports Charity Bike Challenge

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

English football legend Alan Shearer helped launch a team of cyclists on an epic 1,000 mile challenge on behalf of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation – of which he is patron – this week.

The star met with 6 British men as they set out to bike from Chile’s Pacific coast to Argentina’s Atlantic coast to raise funds for the charity, named after late football boss Bobby Robson, who passed away in 2009.

Sir Bobby created the Foundation not only to provide early cancer detection and treatments, but also to provide clinical trials of new drugs at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care in the Freeman Hospital in the UK. Established in 2008, the initial goal of the Foundation was to raise £500,000 to fund equipment for a cancer research centre being built in the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, but soon grew to encompass much more.

Stars Back Phil Packer's British Inspiration Trust

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Many people may not have heard of Phil Packer, but he is a man with a mission. After sustaining a spinal cord injury a few years ago, Phil has continued to inspire millions of people, especially young people, face adversity.

“I was injured and paralysed in 2008 and since then have turned my life towards supporting Young People,” says Phil. "My vision is the British Inspiration Trust, and I am calling on Inspirational Figures from every sector of society to join me as BRIT Mentors and share their gift of inspiration to Young People facing Adversity.

“My aim is to be a charity for charities and act as a deliverer of inspiration and am attracting Inspirational Figures. I am at the beginning of this journey and I hope to link these figures with one common aim and to do it together.”

Richard Hammond Among Stars Honored By British Scouts

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0000

A host of stars have been honored by the British Scout Association for their charity work in the organization’s annual birthday honors list.

Eddie Izzard, Richard Hammond, David Attenborough, David Walliams and James Corden were among those honored. A number of winners were Scouts themselves, including novelist Jodi Picoult, chef Ainsley Harriott and Richard Hammond. Hammond – the Top Gear and Brainiac presenter – reflected on his time spent Scouting: “I look back on my days making periscopes and pin hole cameras very fondly. Young people should always be adventurous and inquisitive and Scouting offers a huge amount of opportunities to foster this.”

Another winner, Blue Peter’s Helen Skelton, paddled her way to the Canoeist Award by kayaking down the Amazon to raise money for Sport Relief.

Gary Barlow Plans Second Charity Adventure

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:30:00 +0000

At the ripe age of 39, Gary Barlow is up for anything – even if it’s hiking to the North Pole. For charity, of course.

Don’t underestimate the Take That singer though. Barlow raised more than 1.3 million euros for Comic Relief for leading a team of nine celebrities to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the fourth highest freestanding mountain in the world.

The Spring 2012 trip will raise money for BBC Sport Relief, a charity in the UK that has a history of attracting celebrities, such as David Walliams swimming across the English Channel and Eddie Izzard’s 43 marathons in 52 days.. BBC Sport Relief incorporates physical activity into fundraisers like their Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile and uses the money for disadvantaged people around the world, whether they be homeless children or people in disease-infected conditions.

Boyzone Stars Play Celebrity Charity Soccer

Tue, 04 May 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Boyzone stars Ronan Keating and Keith Duffy laced up their football shoes in the weekend to take part in a charity soccer game at Manchester United’s Old Trafford.

The game – which featured United players such as Dwight Yorke and Jaap Stam, as well as stars such as Tinchy Stryder, Ricky Whittle and Olly Murs – was part of the United Relief Live: The Big Red Day Out event in aid of Sport Relief and the Manchester United Foundation.

With performances by Tinchy Stryder, The Saturdays and Tony Christie, the game attracted over 30,000 people.

Sport Relief Brings In The Charity Cash

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Britain has just hosted a weekend of sport and entertainment to benefit Sport Relief’s work helping vulnerable people – and a whole bunch of celebrities were involved.

The weekend kicked off with the Sport Relief TV Extravaganza on BBC One and Two on Friday night, hosted by Richard Hammond, Davina McCall and others. The show raised an unbelievable £31.6 million for charity, and featured appearances by Annie Lennox, Robbie Williams, Emma Bunton, Cheryl Cole, Andy Murray, Kylie Minogue and many others. David Beckham even got warm and cosy in the bath with comedian James Corden in a special comedy sketch filmed especially for the event.

Michael Parkinson also took part in an episode of Ashes to Ashes, and there were special charity episodes of TV shows such as Masterchef.

Sport Relief To Hit British TV This Friday

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Sport Relief is back… and British TV viewers will be able to enjoy a weekend of entertainment for charity starting on Friday, March 19.

BBC One and Two will host a special broadcast that brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money to help vulnerable people in the UK and the world’s poorest countries.

The show will include a special performance by Annie Lennox, as well as comedy sketches featuring David Beckham, Jenson Button, Andy Murray and more. Hosted by Richard Hammond, Davina McCall, Christine Bleakley and others, the Friday night extravaganza will feature special editions of shows such as Top Gear and Masterchef.

Robbie Williams Donates Song To Charity

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:30:00 +0000

British singer Robbie Williams is to donate his next single to Sport Relief.

Morning Sun has been chosen as the official song for the charity’s 2010 campaign, and will be released on March 8 in the UK.

“I am very happy to donate my time to help Sport Relief and I thank my co-writers for doing the same,” he said. “Please join us in helping this very worthwhile cause.”

Beckhams Design T-Shirts For Sport Relief Charity Campaign

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:30:00 +0000

David and Victoria Beckham are spearheading this year’s Sport Relief campaign.

The whole Beckham family have created a series of one-off designs with the hope of inspiring the nation to rise to the challenge for Sport Relief 2010– and they’re about to fly off the shelves at Sainsbury’s and TK Maxx where they’re now exclusively on sale.
As part of the series of T-shirts, David took a distinctive self portrait showcasing his renowned football skills. Even Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz joined in the creative process, armed with spray cans and a blank canvas, to create a unique one off Beckham family collaboration.

David Beckham To Get Oiled Up For Charity

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Comedian James Corden is about to get up close and personal with David Beckham.

Corden – in character as Gavin And Stacey’s Smithy – will give the soccer icon a massage for charity. And Beckham will return the favor afterwards – in a sketch to be broadcast in March on BBC One’s Sport Relief.

“The sketch is hilarious, they couldn’t be more different – the pair of them massaging each other will be a sight to behold,” a source told The Sun.

Little Britain Star To Get On His Bike For Charity

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:00:00 +0000

British comedian David Walliams is planning to cycle the length of the UK for charity.

The Little Britain star is well known for his charity stunts – in 2006 he swam the English Channel, and in 2008 he swam the Strait of Gibralter. Both swims were to raise money for Comic Relief and Sport Relief – as is his planned cycle ride.

The actor will be joined on his 875-mile trip from John O’Groats to Land’s End – to take place in March – by Jimmy Carr and Miranda Hart, as well as TV hosts Fearne Cotton and Davina McCall.

Eddie Izzard Encourages Good Health And Fitness

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0000

British actor/comedian Eddie Izzard is using his recent award for the 43 marathons he ran for charity earlier this year to encourage people in the UK get fitter.

The star was presented with a special award at the annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year event on Sunday, December 13, for his effort, which saw him run 1,100 miles in 51 days for Sport Relief. The run raised over US$300,000 for the charity, which is part of Comic Relief.

And now the star is urging the people of the UK to follow his lead and get fitter.