DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS BRING EMMA, OTI AND RYLAN’S RED NOSE DAY CHALLENGE TO A STANDSTILL

10th February 2023

Rylan during his Red Nose Day challenge in the Scottish Highlands

Celebrities will re-attempt to finish their challenge, and summit Cairn Gorm Mountain, in 24-hours’ time

  • Gusts of up to 100mph and gale force winds due to strike the Cairngorms today, on what would have been final day of their Red Nose Day challenge

  • Emma, Oti and Rylan in defiant mood – vowing to conquer their challenge despite sheer exhaustion of the past two days

  • Crisis talks underway to find safe new route for the challenge to continue

  • Viewers will be able to follow every step of the brutal journey in a special documentary airing on BBC One and iPlayer in the lead up to Red Nose Day

  • Money raised will help people through the toughest times of their lives

  • Red Nose Day returns on Friday 17 March

  • Find out how you can support the team at comicrelief.com/frozen(opens in new window)

Friday 10th February: Emma Willis, Oti Mabuse and Rylan’s Red Nose Day challenge has been brought to a halt due to dangerous weather conditions closing in on the Scottish Highlands. The trio, who have spent the last two days trekking and wild camping in an attempt to reach the Cairn Gorm Mountain, have been warned that any attempt to push ahead with today’s planned summit could pose a danger to life.

Crisis talks with the expedition team are now in motion, as the team try to find a new safe route for the determined and defiant trio to re-attempt the summit and complete their challenge in 24 hours’ time – if it is deemed safe to resume.

For the last two days, the now exhausted, drained, and even bruised celebrities, have been taking on one of the hardest physical and mental challenges of their lives. Battling blustery winds, ice, rain and freezing temperatures, in their bid to raise vital funds for Comic Relief one step at a time.

Emma Willis said: “I feel like the rug’s been pulled from under us. If there’s even the smallest chance of us trying again tomorrow then I’m staying. I’m not going home today. No way.

“I feel like I’ve only done 50 percent of the challenge and I always give 100 percent to everything I do. But it’s out of my control. I can’t get lost in my own disappointment though. I need to turn my annoyance into determination."

Oti Mabuse said: "It’s not the result we were hoping for and I’m not good with change. It doesn’t matter what we want now. It’s up to the mountain whether this challenge carries on tomorrow or not."

Rylan said: “Two days ago if I’d been told we couldn’t go to the summit I’d have been delighted. Now I’m here I’m absolutely gutted. I know it’s the right decision but we’re gutted. Even if there’s the smallest chance of us being able to carry on tomorrow then I’m staying. I didn’t start this challenge to only make it halfway."

Expedition Lead, Graeme Douglas – who has been by the trio’s side for every step of their journey – said: “As with all Comic Relief challenges, safety is our number one priority. We have been closely monitoring the weather over the past 24 hours and due to 70mph winds and gusts up to 100mph expected on the summit of Cairn Gorm today, we have reluctantly made the decision to pause the climb until tomorrow. We have revised the proposed route and weather permitting, we will press on to the summit on Saturday."

Every step of Emma, Oti and Rylan's Big Red Nose Day Challenge will be captured for a special documentary, produced by Twofour, which will air on BBC One and iPlayer in the run up to Red Nose Day, which returns on Friday 17 March.

The money raised will help support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, and food poverty here in the UK and around the world. A portion of money raised throughout the Red Nose Day campaign will also go towards the emergency response to the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Donations will help to fund organisations providing essential support including blankets, food, water and medical supplies.

To find out more and show your support to Emma, Oti and Rylan, please visit comicrelief.com/frozen(opens in new window)

ENDS

ASSETS AVAILABLE

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Red Nose Day PR Team:

020 7820 2500

media@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)

www.comicrelief.com/media-centre(opens in new window)

Out of hours enquiries: 07984 510 473

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About Red Nose Day

Red Nose Day is back on Friday 17 March 2023.

Once a year, we all come together to help those who need it most – and we have a great time doing it. So, this year, whether you bake a cake or sponsor your mates, buy a Red Nose or donate on your phone, let’s make Red Nose Day the best day ever. Together we can help people going through the toughest times of their lives and help them break free from the effects of poverty, in the UK and around the world.

Whatever you’re able to do this year - you’ll be part of something incredible and most importantly you’ll be helping to change people’s lives for the better. Visit www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday(opens in new window) or follow @ComicRelief on social media for the latest Red Nose Day content, news and information.

Red Nose Day is an initiative of Comic Relief.

About Comic Relief

Comic Relief uses the power of humour and popular culture to engage people to help others and raises money to support organisations working towards a just world free from poverty.

Our mission combines Comic and Relief. We believe that helping others can be easy and fun, even in the face of the challenges we face every day.

Everyone should be able to have a decent standard of living and to live life with dignity and respect – but right now, in the UK and around the world, poverty and injustice restrict too many of us. We know that a better world is possible. We provide funding to fantastic organisations who are closest to the communities who can make change happen. We support work that will help to alleviate poverty’s consequences, tackle related injustices, and address the link between climate change and poverty.

For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please visit www.comicrelief.com(opens in new window) or follow @ComicRelief on social media for the latest content, news and information.

Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).