Radio 1’s Mollie King is preparing for the biggest challenge of her life, as she swaps mic for bike in aid of Red Nose Day.
The Saturdays singer will take on a staggering solo 500km cycle across England to raise money for Comic Relief.
Mollie King’s Pedal Power for Red Nose Day on Radio 1 will see the presenter take to the saddle for five exhausting days as she attempts to cycle from London to her late father’s hometown of Hull.
The challenge kicks off on Monday, March 11 during the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Greg James.
She will be joined by her co-host Matt Edmondson, friends, and family as she departs from central London and begins her mammoth journey north.
The week ahead will see Mollie pedal through the streets of Towcester, Burton-upon-Trent, Manchester and Leeds as she battles both physically and mentally to reach the finish line.
For someone who has never ridden a bike on the road, it’s certainly not going to be an easy ride.
Mollie’s stamina, spirit and strength will be tested like never before as she tackles the unpredictable great British weather while navigating winding country roads, and busy city centres.
She will pass through villages, towns and cities where Comic Relief funded projects are providing essential support to people who need it most.
Motivate Mollie
The whole of Radio 1 will be getting behind Mollie throughout the week, offering lots of support and keeping her motivated with messages of encouragement from listeners. Mollie will also be joined along the route by special guests. Radio 1 listeners can also contribute to special surprises to help Mollie keep pushing on when it’s getting tough and raise as much money as possible for Red Nose Day.
Mollie said: “I can’t believe I’m going to be taking on this incredible challenge. The closer the start date gets the more daunting it’s becoming. I’ve been training for the last few weeks on an exercise bike and learning how to cycle on the road too, it’s been an incredibly steep learning curve. I haven’t been able to exercise much since having my daughter, a year ago, so even getting back into the training is pushing me harder than I thought it would!
“I know the wonderful support from our fantastic Radio 1 listeners and my fellow presenters is definitely going to give me a boost when I’m feeling absolutely exhausted. I know they’ll keep me going and I’ll be constantly thinking of the finish line in Hull, which was such an important place to me and my dad. I know that he would be immensely proud that I am doing this for such a great cause.
“I’m going to give it absolutely everything and do my best for Comic Relief and the brilliant projects they support across the UK and around the world.”
Matt Edmondson, Radio 1 presenter and Mollie’s co-host said: “Mollie is my best friend in the whole world, and one of the most strong and determined people I’ve ever met.
“This challenge would push absolutely anyone beyond breaking point, so I’m in awe of her courage and ridiculously grateful that she’ll have all of the Radio 1 listeners supporting her through the literal highs and lows of this epic challenge. I’ll be there too, reporting back on her progress, cheering her on and making bad jokes to try and distract her from the pain!”
Aled Haydn-Jones, head of BBC Radio 1 said he thought Mollie would “smash” the challenge.
You can hear about how Mollie is getting on by listening to Radio 1. To support her, go to www.comicrelief.com/pedalpower
Red noses
The new, vibrant, plant-based Red Nose range is available now with free One-Day Delivery for all customers on Amazon, the official home of the Red Nose. The noses are guaranteed to raise smiles, as well as life changing money for Red Nose Day.
Priced from £2, there are five Noses to find and collect – four characters, including Gigglesworth, Smirklethorpe, McChortles, LOL-E-Pops, and the Golden Hooter – a limited-edition Gold Nose.
And for families with more than one nose to cater for, this year sees the launch of the first Red Nose Family Pack. Available for £8, it’s the only way to get your hands – and nose – on all four characters, including LOL-E-Pops – a very special, limited-edition Blue Nose available exclusively in the Family Pack.
