Craig Doyle, Amanda Byram, Paddy Johns and Diarmuid Gavin will join six other well-known faces to represent Ireland in the 1,000 mile race from March 10 to 17 in a bid to be the 'First Nation Home'.
Members of the public are being offered the chance to join their celebrity team for the final stage of the challenge, a six mile run to the finish in Belfast on Sunday, March 25.
Representatives of Team Ireland were in Belfast yesterday to kick-start the First Nation Home event. The four Home Nation teams will begin the race simultaneously from their homes cities of Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh and London as they run, race, cycle and sail their way over 1,000 miles around the UK and Ireland.
Total Wipeout presenter Amanda Byram said her competitive streak meant she was determined to win.
"I know it's all about fun and raising money for Sport Relief but I'm competitive by nature and there's our pride at stake too," she said. "I've hired a personal trainer though I'd like to think I'm pretty fit anyway. I run a lot and am fine about that part of it, but I've never sailed before and I'm a bit worried about the rowing too.
"But then I look around me at the big hurly burly men on the team and I feel in safe hands."
Television and radio host Craig Doyle said Team Ireland was prepared to pull out all the stops to win on the day.
"People will want to see blood, they'll want to sweat, we have to look like we're making a sacrifice or they won't put their hands in their pockets," he said.
"Training's going well and we're all getting on great. There's not a belly in sight, so I think we'll do ok. The England team worries me slightly and the Welsh look tough too, but we'll certainly give them a run for their money.
"At the end of the day it's a fun event and we want people to come out and suppoprt us on the final six miles of the race. It's a great chance for the public to get involved with Team Ireland and to get us to the finsih line."
Cool FM's PeteSnodden will be running the last leg with Team Ireland. He said: "I'm delighted to be involved in raising money for Sports Relief. It's an honour to be wearing the Team Ireland shirt, but the bottom line is, we have to raise the money."
Meanwhile Sport Relief is, once again, setting aside a £50,000 Community Cash Fund for local groups across Belfast.
Grants ranging from £500 to £1,000 will be made available to grassroots organisations in Northern Ireland that are doing good work to help communities living tough lives. For the second consecutive year the Belfast Telegraph will be on board to encourage small organisations to apply for a Sport Relief Community Cash grant. The Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile will take place on Sunday, March 25 and members of the public are being urged to sign up for the event. The money raised will then be spent by Comic Relief to transform lives in Belfast, across the UK and in the world's poorest countries.
Sue Wicks, UK Grants Manager, Comic Relief, said: "Comic Relief is delighted to be working with the Belfast Telegraph and offering Sport Relief Community Cash again to local groups in Northern Ireland. We funded some truly fantastic projects in the greater Belfast area last time and are looking forward to seeing some new groups applying this time.
"Thanks to the hard work of these groups, money raised through Sport Relief can get right to the heart of the local community and make a real difference where it is most needed. I urge as many groups as possible to get their applications in now for their chance to get a grant from the £50,000 on offer.”
How To Take Part in the Team Ireland Final Race or the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile.
Up to 1,000 spaces are up for grabs for the final six miles of the First Nation Home race. Entry costs £60. First Nation Home is just one way to take part in Sport Relief 2012. The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile returns to Belfast and entries are open to the public now – just go to www.sportrelief.com to take part in either First Nation Home or the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile and get sponsored. Join thousands of people in Custom House Square before heading down the historic High Street and past the City Hall.
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