Comedian embarks on a 290 mile triathlon from Paris to London in aid of Sport Relief
John Bishop has started his week of hell this morning in Paris.
Liverpool’s comic legend hopes to complete his punishing trip in five days combining a cycle dash across France, rowing across the channel and then running to London.
Bishop, a popular circuit comedian and star of TV shows like John Bishop’s Britain, hopes to cycle the 185 miles to Calais today (27/2) in a single day followed by rowing the English Channel the following day. The last stage across Southern England will involve the equivalent of running three marathons in three days.
The fundraising event which the comedian has been describing as his 'week of hell' was only made possible at the last minute when Bishop was granted permission by the French authorities. An initial request to row across the channel from the French coast was turned down…
Last week the fundraiser was refused permission but Bishop and his group of celebrity rower pals that include TV presenter Davina McCall, Olympic champion Denise Lewis and England cricketing legend Freddie Flintoff appealed against the decision. Much to the delight of the team yesterday it was announced the Admiral of Cherbourg had granted the request, taking into account the humanitarian aims of the charity challenge.
The comedian known for his entertaining stories about family life is raising money for vaccination programmes for children in Africa… Bishop recently visited Sierra Leone and saw the terrible effects that preventable diseases have on children in Africa.
His efforts are also drawing attention to how very small sums of money can save the lives of children in Africa. Just a few pounds can provide immunisation for a child against five potentially deadly diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and haemophilus, the latter which can cause meningitis and pneumonia…
Sport Relief points out that almost two million children each year in Africa die from diseases that can be prevented by simple vaccines, facts that are leading to a great effort by international agencies to step up commitments to global vaccination programmes.
As part of his challenge Bishop has already complained about the traffic in Paris... And the comedian has already suffered one accident already falling off his bike at traffic lights in Paris, although he has recovered to continue.
The comic set off at 8.35 am this morning on his bicycle from the Eiffel Tower…
Bishop hopes to raise enough money to pay for vaccinations for 250,000 children in Africa safeguarding them against the five deadly diseases mentioned, and also support charities in the UK.
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