Derek Twigg MP joins Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and Sports Minister Richard Caborn tomorrow (Wednesday 16 June) in a special Mile event for Sport Relief.
Derek Twigg is one of more than 100 MPs and Peers from all parties who will put aside their political differences to raise money to help underprivileged people both at home and abroad.
Labour MPs, Tories, Lib Dems and Independents will rub shoulders with Peers of the realm from both sides of the House led by London 2012 Chair Lord Coe as they run, walk or hop a Mile specially marked out through the paths of St James’s Park in London. Olympic stars Steve Cram and Tessa Sanderson will also be on hand to offer encouragement to the runners.
The charity, Sport Relief was set up by Comic Relief in association with BBC Sport to tackle poverty and disadvantage, both in the UK and in some of the poorest countries around the world. Sport Relief’s debut in 2002 raised more than £14 million and this time round hopes to do even better.
Derek Twigg MP said:
“This is a fantastic one off opportunity to get each party to ‘Go The Extra Mile’ for Sport Relief and I’m really looking forward to it.”
The Westminster Mile is a stepping-stone to kick start the public in the UK to take part in the Fitness First Sport Relief Mile on Saturday July 10th when everyone is being encouraged to get together to do the Mile in 14 venues up and down the country. In addition a whole heap of local Fitness First Sport Relief Mile events are being organised by sports clubs, leisure centres and local town authorities and other groups.
Instead of the Comic Relief Red Nose, Sport Relief participants will be given one Red Sock before the race saying ‘Doing It’ and one after saying ‘Done It’.
BBC One will be on hand to film the efforts of our Peers and MPs to be shown on the night of July 10th as part of their five-hour coverage.