Article Source: Sport Relief
Last Updated: 4 February 2020 9:22
Secrets being spilt today include the first famous face set to trek a 100-mile triathlon on ice in Mongolia, some of the presenters of the BBC One night of Sport Relief entertainment, and an unmissable competition for schools around the country with double Olympic gold medallist, Max Whitlock MBE.
Sporting legend Rio Ferdinand and his wife, fitness fanatic Kate, have got their kit on to help kick off Sport Relief, and have shared a powerful personal message about how sport has improved their lives, especially when it comes to mental health.
Rio, football legend and BT Sport presenter, said: “Over the years I’ve learnt that there’s much more to sport than winning trophies; there’s a lot to gain personally from taking part. Sport has this amazing ability to bring people together and tackle really important issues like mental health stigma, which I’m really passionate about. Sport gives you something to focus your energy on, and speaking from my own experiences off the pitch, it’s positively impacted my family’s lives when going through some hard times.
“Sport Relief brings all this together in a way no other charity does – with a sense of fun and humour, which we all need a bit more of. I am proud to be part of this year’s campaign and I’m looking forward to seeing some of the work donations support, to hopefully bring more attention to topics, like mental health, that we really need to keep talking about publicly.”
Kate said: “Sport is really important to me and our family – it’s helped me so much recently with my own panic attacks and anxiety, so I know how much it can change your way of thinking and mental health. I love starting the day with a home workout or family dog walk, any form of exercise sets me up with a positive and motivated mindset. The beauty of Sport Relief is that it is so easy to get involved and it is for anyone, whether you are sporty or not. Knowing that donations tackle issues like mental health, homelessness and domestic abuse, makes it a no-brainer for me. I’m excited to be part of this year’s campaign and look forward to getting more involved.”
Since last Sport Relief, some of the money raised has help support 127 organisations right here in Scotland. Sport Relief channels the power of sport to raise money and change lives, with donations spent on tackling major issues including mental health, domestic abuse, homelessness and child poverty – at home and around the world.
Coming up this Sport Relief:
BBC Radio 1 DJ, Nick Grimshaw, is the first name to be revealed for BBC One's Sport Relief: On Thin Ice, a sub-zero four-day challenge of a lifetime, taking place over 4,000 miles from home towards the end of February. Grimmy will form part of a brave team of eight celebrities who, in a world-first, will together cycle, skate and trek 100 arduous miles across Lake Khovsgol, Mongolia, which is more than two million years old and freezes to ice during winter. The challenge aims to break the ice on the silence and stigma surrounding mental health issues, a cause close to the hearts of the eight celebrities, so more people can access the support they need. Their heroic efforts will be filmed for a one-hour documentary to be shown in the run up to Sport Relief. More names will be revealed over the course of today and the rest of the week.
Nick said: “Super excited to announce that I’ll be doing 25 miles a day on ice in Mongolia all in aid of Sport Relief. It’s going to be really challenging both mentally and physically, but I can’t wait to get started!”
Newsreader and avid runner Sophie Raworth will take on BBC Radio 3’s Beat Beethoven challenge which sees members of the public run 5k around MediaCityUK and “beat” the music of Beethoven’s epic Fifth Symphony performed live by the BBC Philharmonic on 13th March. Further BBC Radio plans will be revealed soon.
As part of this year’s TV entertainment, true Sport Relief legends including David Walliams, Davina McCall, Greg James, John Bishop and Gareth Thomas will share memorable moments from their gruelling fundraising challenges from over the years in a special documentary shown the week before Sport Relief on BBC One. All have pushed themselves to the absolute mental and physical limit to raise millions for causes they care deeply about.
Max Whitlock MBE, double Olympic gold medallist and 2019 gymnastics World Champion, will be gearing up to visit one lucky school in the country, as he announces a brand-new competition in a Sport Relief first. Schools can enter simply by submitting their proposals on sportrelief.com/max, to be in with the chance of winning a special visit from Max himself.
Max has also joined forces with sports stars Ellie Simmonds, Harry Kane and Jessica Ennis-Hill to launch this year’s official Sport Relief range, sold exclusively in Sainsbury’s and selected Argos stores. This year’s fundraising merchandise includes everything from colourful T-shirts to pin badges, as well as a limited-edition tote bag, designed by Dina Asher-Smith. This will all be on sale from 15th February.
Gary Lineker and Paddy McGuinness return as hosts alongside other exciting new names soon to be revealed, for the Sport Relief night of TV from Salford, which will air on BBC One on 13th March. Viewers can expect a spectacular line-up of one-off specials, sketches and live music.
The UK can also enjoy a series of Sport Relief themed TV shows, including BBC’s Catchpoint, Blue Peter, Bargain Hunt, which will pit Olympians against sports TV presenters, and, from today, a Sport Relief special of Football Stars in Bad Cars is available to view on BBC Three, featuring BBC Radio 1’s Chris Stark.
And all of that is just for starters - much more will be revealed over the coming days and weeks. Money raised will support people living incredibly tough lives in the UK and around the world.
Find out how you can get involved here »
Sheila Fleet is thrilled to announce the opening of her contemporary two-storey jewellery shop at 4 Hanover Street, just off Princes Street.
READ MORELeith Makers is excited to invite you to be a part of their upcoming collaborative exhibition: Leith Connections, running from 6th - 31st August.
READ MOREChildren attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!
READ MOREScottish trad supergroup Mànran will headline a one-off live show on the Mound this month, as part of the return of Innis & Gunn's popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe takeover.
READ MORESUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea, with a refreshing summer spin, whilst guests enjoy unparalleled views from the restaurant’s home on the 10th floor of W Edinburgh!
READ MOREHot on the heels of a thrilling TravFest25 programme, the Traverse Theatre has announced the first details of the exciting work audiences can look forward to seeing in the venue from September.
READ MOREEdinburgh's West End has welcomed an exciting new destination as Don't Tell Mama, the beloved local coffee shop, officially opens The West End Garden.
READ MOREVirgin Hotels Edinburgh is excited to announce the creation of a brand new role, adding the first-ever 'Director of Mischief' position to its team.
READ MOREEdinburgh Zoo has welcomed Scotland’s only sloth bear, Cipísek, from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic.
READ MOREPubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MOREThis summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MOREThe inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MOREToday, Collective is delighted to announce and open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.
READ MOREThis summer, The LEGO Group is excited to bring its new Summer Fun with Music Creativity Workshop directly to families in Edinburgh!
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MOREFamilies will have the chance to meet some of this year’s biggest blockbuster-inspired characters for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as part of a series of exciting meet and greet sessions.
READ MOREThis week, the globally acclaimed venue, The Famous Spiegeltent makes her grand return to St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her spiritual home.
READ MORENewtongrange Community Council is now pleased to reveal the names of the green-fingered locals that stood out in this historic garden contest.
READ MOREDynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones in a bid provide accessible enrichment for little ones across the Capital.
READ MOREHis Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh welcomed Gold DofE Award holders to The Palace of Holyroodhouse this morning at a very special event to mark their achievements.
READ MOREBTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORECapital Theatres has today launched The People’s Archive, a digital exhibition that celebrates the rich history and cultural legacy of the King’s Theatre.
READ MOREA Disney-loving mum and her one-year-old daughter have been crowned Edinburgh’s biggest Stitch fans after winning a competition hosted by Fort Kinnaird.
READ MORELivingston Designer Outlet goes Jurassic crazy this July with lifelike dinosaurs, ranger training and endless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.
READ MOREDeparting on Saturday 29th November 2025 at from Edinburgh Waverley, this enchanting lunchtime journey will be led by the iconic 60532 Blue Peter.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced its programme of screenings and events for its 2025 edition.
READ MOREParty at the Palace will host Scotland’s first solar-powered festival stage, the GreenFox Energy Breakthrough Stage, twinning clean energy and the joy of live music.
READ MOREGilded Balloon has unveiled a huge line-up of comedy stars to take part in a special ‘40 Years of Fringe’ in conversation series, to celebrate the venue’s 40th anniversary.
READ MOREScotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MORE