17:00, 25 March 2021
Words by Smiley Team, Staff Writer, London
Travelling 140 miles by foot, bicycle and kayak, professional racing driver Billy Monger certainly stepped out of his comfort zone to raise funds for Red Nose Day 2021. This year, donations will help tackle homelessness, hunger, domestic abuse, and mental health problems: all issues that have been exacerbated by Covid-19.
At the end of February, Billy completed the triathlon, arriving triumphantly at the Brands Hatch race circuit in Kent. Since then his fundraising total has risen to over £2.3 million with more donations still coming in.
After crossing the finishing line, Billy said: “The last few laps felt like a lifetime. It was the most exhausting experience of my life. At times I've never had to dig that deep. I never did this for me, it was about raising as much money as possible to change people’s lives. I don’t think this is going to sink in for a very long time. I'm staying in bed all day tomorrow.”
He started his fundraising journey by walking 18 miles from the Millennium Bridge in Gateshead to Durham Castle, following which he kayaked 6.5miles across Ullswater Lake in the Lake District. Dangerous weather conditions and strong winds on the lake meant he had to postpone this second part of the challenge by a day.
For the last part of his endeavour, he cycled 65 miles from Birmingham to Blenheim Palace, followed by a final stretch of 21 laps by foot and bicycle around the Brands Hatch race circuit.
One of Britain’s most promising young racing talents, Billy became the Super 1 National Honda Cadet Champion aged just 10 years old. Having lost both his legs in a racing accident three years ago, the young champion prepared diligently with the help of Wildwater World Champion and Team GB Coach Hannah Brown as well as two-time World Paratriathlon Champion Hannah Moore, Paralympic Talent Coach Becky Hewitt and Billy’s long-time trainer, Andy Wellfare.
Finally able to relax and celebrate his fundraising success after months of strenuous exercise, Billy said: “This has been one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do in my entire life but without everyone’s support I wouldn’t have got through it. I’ve been to places that I’ve not been physically, mentally, and emotionally in a long time.
“I’m drained, tired but I’m super proud as it’s been a real journey over the last few days. But I want to say thank you for all your donations and your support as they’ll make such a difference to people’s lives and that’s what it’s all been about for me. So please keeping donating if you can.
There’s still time to support Billy’s Red Nose Day fundraiser. You can help tackle a range of social and health issues that have worsened during the pandemic by donating here.
