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Shaparak takes break from Fringe festival to see how Comic Relief funded charity is using Surf Therapy to help young people with their mental health and wellbeing
The Big Swim returns this September and is the chance to dive into a 5km, 10km or 15km challenge to help make a difference and feel good while raising vital funds for Sport Relief
Comedian joins young people supported by the Wave Project in surf session at Edinburgh’s Lost Shore Surf Resort
Shaparak is currently starring at Edinburgh Fringe with her show Scatterbrain which runs until Sunday 10 August
The Wave Project use surfing, community and blue spaces as a tool to improve young people’s mental health, build confidence and reduce isolation across 17 locations in the UK
Money raised by the Big Swim could help fund projects that support mental health and help young people build self-esteem and resilience through sport
To sign up to the Sport Relief Big Swim in September, visit www.comicrelief.com/bigswim(opens in new window)
Thursday 31 July: Comedian Shaparak Khorsandi has taken a break from the Fringe festivities to help launch this summer’s Sport Relief Big Swim challenge with a splash by visiting a special project on the outskirts of Edinburgh that is using the power of sport to help young people improve their mental health, build confidence and reduce isolation.
Along with her daughter, Vivie, aged 12, Shaparak spent some time with The Wave Project, which is funded by Comic Relief and runs sessions for young people at the Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh, Europe’s largest inland surf resort.
Shaparak, who is currently starring in her smash-hit show Scatterbrain at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, took to the water alongside a group of young people who receive one-on-one support from volunteers through the charity’s Surf Therapy programmes. The Surf Therapy sessions are delivered in 17 locations around the UK – including Edinburgh, Dunbar and St. Andrews in Scotland – and offer a safe and supportive environment where young people can be themselves, make friends and feel a sense of belonging – often for the first time in their lives.
Shaparak Khorsandi said: “What an absolute blast it has been to join such an incredible group of people for a surf session with such an important purpose. I’m a huge advocate for supporting mental health projects and seeing firsthand how sport and being outdoors is helping young people here has been really inspiring.
It’s my first ever time on a board and I ’ve loved every minute. I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since I’ve been here – being in the water and riding the waves, it brings so much joy. It gets your heart pumping and your brain working in such a unique way – I can’t believe I’ve waited 52 years to do this! This is my life now!"
Taking inspiration from celebrity superstars like Billy Monger, Davina McCall and Tom Daley who have all completed heroic swimming-based challenges for Comic Relief, the Big Swim is now challenging the nation to take the plunge and swim 5km, 10km, or 15km throughout September, to raise money for Sport Relief. Donations could help to fund projects that support mental health and improve young people’s self-esteem and resilience through sport.
Shaparak added: “If like me, you just love being in the water, or need a bit of a challenge, then the Big Swim is the one for you. You’ll be raising vital funds for some brilliant charities and taking care of your own mental health at the same time – it’s a win win. So come on, sign up and jump on in…the water’s warm!"
Samir Patel, CEO of Comic Relief, said: “The ongoing mental health crisis facing so many children and young people here in Scotland and across the UK makes organisations like The Wave Project absolutely crucial. With Shaparak’s support, we’re so proud to highlight such a brilliant initiative that is tackling a serious issue in such an engaging and exciting way for children. We hope today’s visit inspires people to challenge themselves to get involved with the Big Swim for Sport Relief this September. It’s a great way to help raise money for amazing projects, just like The Wave Project, who are doing fantastic work to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing every day."
Joy Corcec, Marketing Manager at The Wave Project, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Comic Relief for their generous support. Surf Therapy is an early intervention which does so much to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the children and young people who become our Surfers. With 1 in 5 young people now having a diagnosable mental health challenge it is clear that they need charities like The Wave Project. Our charity creates community, friendships, confidence and resilience. Comic Relief enables us to do that across the UK."
Robyn, aged 19, was first introduced to The Wave Project in 2020 when she joined a Surf Therapy programme. After completing the programme, she began attending regular Surf Club sessions and is now a Surf Volunteer. She said: “When I first came I wouldn’t talk to anyone. The project co-ordinator that I did the Surf Therapy with used to have to hold my hand for the whole of the session. Now I’m me. I’m ten times more confident. Being involved has given me the opportunity to be myself in a safe space, where I’ve been allowed to grow into the person I am now. It’s the best thing you can do, it’s so much fun and seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they come out of the water after a session is unbeatable."
Supporters who sign up to take part in the Big Swim will receive a free Sport Relief t-shirt and fundraising pack to help them every length of the way.
To get involved, visit www.comicrelief.com/bigswim(opens in new window)
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Comic Relief Live! at Edinburgh Fringe – Monday 18 August
As well as today’s visit to Lost Shore Surf Resort, Comic Relief will be returning to Edinburgh later in August for Comic Relief Live! at the Assembly Hall for Fringe
The unmissable one-night-only show will be hosted by comedy powerhouse, Rosie Jones and include a stellar line-up of comedians including Chloe Petts, Max Fosh, Rosie Jones, Sally Phillips and Urooj Ashfaq
For more information, the press release is available to view here
About Sport Relief
Sport Relief harnesses the power of sport and entertainment to bring people together across the UK, to get active, have fun and raise life-changing funds.
Since launching in 2002, Sport Relief has raised £420million so far, thanks to the generous British public, and supported millions of lives in the UK and around the world.
This summer, Sport Relief is funding vital projects that support the mental health of those who need them most. For more information and to find out how to get involved, visit comicrelief.com/sportrelief/(opens in new window) or join in the conversation on social media with #BeAGoodSport #SportRelief25
Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity that uses the power of entertainment and popular culture to work towards a vision of a just world free from poverty. We raise money to support organisations that are closest to the communities who can make change happen. We support work that will tackle the impact of poverty, injustice, conflict, and climate change in the UK and around the world.
Since launching in 1985, we have raised over £1.6 billion thanks to the huge generosity and kindness of the public and our partners.
For more information on our work, visit www.comicrelief.com(opens in new window) or follow @comicrelief on X(opens in new window) (formerly Twitter), Facebook(opens in new window), Instagram(opens in new window), LinkedIn(opens in new window) and TikTok(opens in new window) for the latest content and news.
Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
About The Wave Project
Founded in 2010, The Wave Project offers the world's first Surf Therapy course funded by a government health service. Based in Cornwall, the charity has expanded across the southwest of England to North Yorkshire, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight, Brighton and London, with over 16,500 young people having accessed Surf Therapy courses to date.
Visit The Wave Project website – www.waveproject.co.uk(opens in new window)
Follow us on Instagram(opens in new window), Facebook(opens in new window) and LinkedIn(opens in new window)
#TheWaveProject
