Comic Relief comes to town

Billy Monger, BBC Sports Personality 2018, trains at the Canal

It’s not every day that I receive a call from my colleague at VisitChichester to say “please can you call BBC Comic Relief ASAP as they want to film Billy Monger at the Canal tomorrow!” So call I did and all was revealed.

 

Billy Monger is a British racing driver who raced in British F4 in 2016 and 2017. He is also referred to by the nickname “Billy Whizz”. In April 2017, he was critically injured during a race at Donington Park, requiring both of his legs to be amputated, one below the knee and one above the knee. In 2018, he was awarded the Helen Rollason BBC Sports Personality of the year prize in recognition of outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

 

So why the Canal? Why Comic Relief?

 

As part of Billy’s extensive rehab and his unrelenting desire to race again, he is undertaking a 140 mile challenge…. walking, kayaking and cycling to raise money for life changing projects. His challenge starts on 22 February and hopefully will be broadcast in a Comic Relief documentary on 19 March. Do tune in!

 

One problem…. Billy has never been in a kayak before! So as part of his training, we were asked for permission for Billy to train in a slightly modified kayak and be filmed. Of course, we said yes.

I have to say, the whole crew (Comic Relief, professional photographer, external production company, personal trainer and Billy himself) were absolutely charming and very mindful of prevalent Covid restrictions. It was a pleasure to meet Billy and co, to offer up the Canal facilities and to tell the team all about the Canal. Billy trained for a couple of days and found the Canal to offer perfect conditions.

We wish him and Comic Relief every success and hopefully plenty of £ will be raised for very good causes.

Links to the story

Photo credits: Janet Osborne and Rick Gatley

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