Six exhausted and weather-worn celebrities and six Volvo Ocean Race veterans crossed the finish line of the BT Sport Relief Challenge: Hell on High Seas on Friday night.
The One Show’s Alex Jones, TV presenter Angellica Bell, comedian Hal Cruttenden, actress Doon Mackichan and TV presenters Ore Oduba and Suzi Perry sailed around the south coast of the UK, from Belfast to London, in a feat of physical, mental and emotional endurance.
The challenge, which is sponsored by BT – a long-term supporter of Sport Relief challenges since 2009 – has already raised £944,288.
Alex said: ‘Thank you so much to everyone for all of your support on our difficult and magnificent journey.’
UK Coastguard helicopter drops in on Sport Relief yacht during training exercise
Led by Skipper Ian Walker and experienced crew Phil Harmer, Dee Caffari, Sara Hastreiter, Graham Tourell and Gonzalo Infante, the celebrities battled storm-force winds of 29 knots, waves of up to 10ft, relentless sea-sickness and a lack of sleep.
On day two, storm force 10 winds have forced the Volvo Ocean 65 yacht into port at Plymouth.
They set sail again on day three andwere forced to attempt to outpace impending storms by racing the yacht at 30+ knots of wind, in order to make it to reach London safely.
Highlights included a flyby from the Ben Ainslie Racing team, a visit from a UK Coastguard helicopter on a training exercise and an escort from a pod of friendly dolphins.
“Sport Relief ‘Hell on High Seas’, this is Sir Ben Ainslie’s Land Rover BAR requesting a flyby…” Credit Harry KH
The money the crew has raised will be used to help transform the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people both at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest communities.
Find out more about where the money will go to at sportrelief.com/highseas.
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