Celeb Big Brother contestant and ex-Welsh Rugby player, Gareth Thomas, is one of nine celebs who will be lacing up their trainers and getting on the track to help raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Gareth and fellows celebs, such as singer Sinitta and chef Jean-Christophe Novelli are taking part in a NSPCC Gold Challenge charity celebrity relay at the Olympic Stadium on 1 April.
The celebrity relay is part of a day of activities at the stadium to raise awareness of The Gold Challenge, a fundraising initiative in which the NSPCC is calling on budding athletes in Wales to cover a distance of 2012km through a variety of sports such as running, cycling, swimming and horse riding. The challenge is open until December 2012 and it is hoped that through sponsorship and corporate support, participants will raise a total of £1 million to help continue the vital work of the NSPCC in offering services to children and young people, including ChildLine.
Ex-Welsh rugby player and Celeb Big Brother star, Gareth Thomas, said: “As a longtime supporter of ChildLine – a fantastic service provided by the NSPCC – it’s great to be taking part in the Gold Challenge Olympic Stadium Event, raising money to support the charity’s work with vulnerable children and young people. I know what it’s like to keep a part of yourself hidden, and nobody in that situation should ever feel alone. ChildLine is there for thousands of young people every year, and I’m proud to support such a worthy cause.”
The Gold Challenge, a non-profit organisation, is part of the mass participation legacy programme for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the NSPCC is one of 125 ‘Gold Challenge Partners’.
Jo Leonard NSPCC community fundraising manager for South East Wales, said: “It’s fantastic that so many people are taking part in The Gold Challenge and fundraising for the NSPCC. We really couldn’t continue helping vulnerable children and young people without their support.
“As an incentive to raise as much money as possible through their Gold Challenge, the 72 highest fundraisers by 29th February will be given the chance to run the Olympic Stadium 100m track at a Gold Challenge event on Sunday 1 April 2012, in front of a cheering crowd of 20,000 people! People can also buy tickets for the event so they can cheer our participants and celebrities along!”
Gareth continued: “The Gold Challenge Olympic Stadium Event is a once in a lifetime opportunity to run the 100m track in the Olympic Stadium, whilst raising vital funds for the NSPCC, including their ChildLine service. I’m running on the day as part of a team of celebrities – for your chance to be there to race in front of a cheering crowd of 20,000 people, register for Gold Challenge today and get fundraising!”
To find out how you can get involved or for more information on Gold Challenge, contact Kate Hershkowitz on (0)20 825 2560, email [email protected] or visit www.nspcc.org.uk/goldchallenge
