Team Honk Scotland – the one with the questions…

One Saturday morning in March you’ll find me wet, cold and probably making a fool of myself. However, it’s all for charity so that’s OK then. 

I’m taking part in the Team Honk Comic Relief relay. Oh. 

What’s that then? 

Short answer: It’s a Land’s End to John O’Groats relay by bloggers to raise money for Sports Relief. 

Long answer: Last year several bloggers known collectively as Team Honk did some amazing stuff to raise money and awareness about Sports Relief. Not being ready to sit back on their sofas and eat cake, this year they decided to go one better and launched Team Honk Relay.

What’s it got to do with you then? 

Aaaaages ago I said. “Oh that looks like fun, can I play?” And promptly forgot about it, or at least decided not to worry about it until nearer the time – March 23. 

Anyhow, nearer the time is getting closer and the more southerly Honkers have already set off. 

Wet and cold? 

Scotland has some of the best bloggers in the world, naturally. However, there aren’t that many of us when it actually comes to laying us end-to-end across the country. We probably wouldn’t even cross the whole of the bridge over the M8 at Harthill in that way. 

So, it was decided that Team Honks Penny and Annie would take the baton all the way to the top of the country stopping en route for some red-nose shenanigans… including white-water rafting from Aberfeldy to Grandtully. 

What else is happening? 

Well once Kelly from Mammybear has passed the baton on in Washington it will make it’s way into Scotland. 

The first date is on Friday 21 March at 10.30am when – orchestrated by Sally Arnison – there will be a walk/hop/crawl/scoot across the Forth Road Bridge. Meet at the car park at Ferrymuir Gait, South Queensferry. The more the merrier. 

Then on Saturday, 22 March – sorted out by Donna from Mummy Central – is a white water raft trip from Aberfeldy to Grandtully. There’s still space in the boat, so let us know if you want to get aboard. 

Northwards to Sunday morning, 23 March and the last challenge is an ascent of Ben Wyvis, near Inverness, before a sprint (motorised) to John O’Groats and the finish. 

Anything else? 

Suggestions welcome and there have been some offers…

Fionaoutdoors, probably the only proper sportsperson in the Scottish leg has muttered about cycling some bits. Fiona, what’s your plan?

So what?

It’s to raise money so, obviously, I need you to hand over your cash. You can sponsor us here or text HONK to 70005 to donate £5 to Sport Relief. 

Still need convinced? 

• £1 could provide a hot meal for a child in the UK living in extreme poverty.
• £5 could pay for a mosquito net to protect a mother and her baby in Africa from contracting malaria while they sleep.
• £10 could enable an older person in the UK who just lost someone they love to attend a group activity.
• £25 could run a sports session for disabled children in the UK, giving them the chance to play with other young people.
• £100 could feed 200 children living on the streets in India for one day.
• £300 could provide a water point in the slums of Tanzania, giving hundreds of families access to safe, clean water.
• £500 could provide six months of support for a young person in the UK with mental health issues.

And if that’s not enough, I’ll find a really sad video to make you cry. 

Is it still a relay if you do all the bits?

I’d like to think so. 

Is this the most compelling excuse for finally giving in and getting a onesie?

Maybe. 

What should I dress as? 

Suggestions on a post card please. 

And finally? 

The first-ever Sainsbury’s Sports Relief Games take place from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 March. You can join in the fun and games by running, swimming or cycling your way to raising cash at over a thousand venues around the country. 

As one of the biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. The money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people both at home in the UK and across the world.