Category: Sport Relief
Date: 15.07.2006
Printable version
After a day which saw hundreds of thousands of people going the extra mile, Sport Relief raised 拢12,216,598 and beat its fund-raising record in the process.
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Money will continue to come in for the coming weeks, and the organisers are confident of beating the campaign's previous highest total of 拢16m.
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The day was a huge success with mile events taking place right across the UK.
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More than 420,000 people up and down the country took part in the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile, with millions more watching a star-studded night of TV on 91热爆 ONE.
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The record total was boosted by news that the amount raised by David Walliams' epic channel swim had topped the 拢1m mark.
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The Little Britain star, who was told the amazing figure live on air, said: "To raise a million is way beyond what I thought was possible - it's brilliant.
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"Without the support of the public there would have been no point in doing it - but people have been fantastic and I'd really like to thank them."
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Sport Relief Saturday started with people all over the country running, walking, jogging or hopping a mile and getting sponsored along the way to raise cash.
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With the mile complete, the nation then put its feet up to enjoy a spectacular night of entertainment on 91热爆 ONE.
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Presented by Gary Lineker, Davina McCall, and Chris Evans, the show included a Mastermind special with Jade and Chantelle, in which Chantelle triumphed.
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Jade showed a shaky grasp of geography, when asked at which London landmark EastEnders' Jim proposed to Dot, she answered Brighton!
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There was also a special appearance from Peter Kay, as Brian Potter.
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The Battle at the Beeb featured Jack Osbourne and Bradley McIntosh in a boxing match, and there was a Footballers Wives special with Graham Norton and A Question of Sport Relief starring Nancy Dell'Olio and Zara Phillips.
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A live performance from McFly of Don't Stop Me Now opened the show, with the single being released as a double A-side on Monday 17 July.
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The grand final of Only Fools on Horses was also part of the night with Jenni Falconer jumping her way to glory - with more than a quarter of a million pounds being raised.
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Jenni said: "This will take a long time to sink in, I still can't believe it, and this [trophy] is going to be in my front room so anyone who comes round can see it. I'll brag about it for a long time to come!"
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Sainsbury's has raised 拢1.5m through sales of merchandise, and staff fund-raising initiatives.
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Since Sport Relief began in 2002, it has raised more than 拢30m which has helped change the lives of vulnerable people in the UK and some of the poorest countries in the world.
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BT enabled 4,000 live operator volunteers across the UK to answer calls from the public and managed 6,000 automated lines.
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Kevin Cahill, Chief Executive of Comic Relief, said: "We are thrilled to have raised 拢12,216,598, and to have seen the participation level in national miles go up by a staggering 300,000 people.
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"Sport Relief Saturday is now well and truly on the map as the UK's biggest Mile event."
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It isn't too late to get involved. Donations can still be made by calling 08457 910 910 (local rates apply), going online at www.sportrelief.com, at any bank, building society or Post Office.
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Or by sending a cheque made payable to Sport Relief 2006, Ernst & Young, PO Box 678, London, EC4A 1NT.
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Notes to Editors
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A final total will be announced in the autumn when all the sponsorship money has been sent in.
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Sport Relief is a joint initiative between Comic Relief and 91热爆 Sport.
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