She did it! Zoe Ball makes it home to Brighton after Sport Relief challenge

Television and radio presenter Zoe Ball pedalled through lashing rain to finish her Sports Relief cycle challenge in Brighton this evening (March 9).
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Mar 2018, 20:51 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 06:11 BST
She did it! Zoe Ball at the finish line on Brighton seafront after her Hardest Road Home challengeShe did it! Zoe Ball at the finish line on Brighton seafront after her Hardest Road Home challenge
She did it! Zoe Ball at the finish line on Brighton seafront after her Hardest Road Home challenge

Zoe cycled 352 miles in just five days, from her birthplace in Blackpool to her hometown Brighton, raising cash for Sports Relief and awareness of mental health after her boyfriend died last year.

She was greeted at the finish line on Brighton seafront with a heartfelt squeeze from her children and mum.

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With plenty of tears along the way, battling muscle fatigue and a few bruising falls off the bike, the mum-of-two has raised £500,114 so far. The money is continuing to roll in, and her final total will be revealed on the Sport Relief night of television, on Friday, March 23.

Zoe was greeted by her two children, her mum and supporters at the finish lineZoe was greeted by her two children, her mum and supporters at the finish line
Zoe was greeted by her two children, her mum and supporters at the finish line

Speaking to the crowd of family, friends and supporters who had waited in the rain for her arrival, Zoe said: “I’m so overwhelmed, thank you for staying in this weather, it’s biblical. I’m so happy to be here, I can’t really believe it. It’s all quite surreal. We did it. We did it!”

Zoe was overcome with emotion as she talked about the “incredible and inspiring” people she met along her way who shared their own stories of mental health with her.

When asked about her plans for Mother’s Day this weekend, she joked with her children, “Woody, should we go for a 50 mile cycle? Or Nelly, shall we just stay in our pyjamas all day?!”

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Comic Relief CEO Liz Warner said: “Zoe has been absolutely amazing. It has been a physical and emotional challenge and she has pushed herself to the limit to help others. The money she has raised will genuinely change lives, but the awareness she has raised is priceless. Zoe has really engaged the public and they have got behind her with donations and moral support and it is great that BBC Breakfast and her Radio 2 mates have been so supportive. Sport Relief also thanks BT for being great partners.”

Zoe was joined by a host of famous friends along the way including John Bishop, Harry Judd, Fearne Cotton, and Zoe’s father, Johnny Ball. She was also cheered on along the way by thousands of well-wishers and supporters.

Zoe’s week will be broadcast for a BBC One documentary, Zoe’s Hardest Road Home, to be aired at 9pm on BBC One, on Wednesday, March 21.

To donate, visit: sportrelief.com/Zoe

Related topics:Zoe BallBrightonBlackpool