Some of the biggest names from sport and showbiz will be passing through P&O\u2019s Ferry terminal and Port of Larne over the next two weeks as part of Sport Relief\u2019s First Nation Home Challenge. <\/p>\n
P&O Ferries, which is sponsoring the sailing leg of the First Nation Home Challenge, will be home to Challenge 72 racing yachts, used in the Global Challenge round the world Yacht Race, for the duration of the race. <\/p>\n
First Nation Home involves four celebrity teams representing Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Among the many celebrities involved include former rugby stars Gareth Thomas, Tom Evans, Paddy Johns, Shane Burns, Kenny Logan, Josh Lewsey and Phil Vickery, sporting heroes Joseph Calzaghe, Graeme Obree Joe Barr and Dame Ellen MacArthur, television celebrities, Katy Hill, Phil Spencer and Diarmuid Gavin and explorer and adventurer Jock Wishart.
\nOver the next 15 days the teams will sail, run, row and cycle over 1,000 miles around the UK and Ireland in the biggest ever Sport Relief Challenge to date. <\/p>\n
On Saturday 10th March each team will set off from their respective cities \u2013 Dublin, London, Edinburgh and Cardiff – to undertake the first leg of the challenge with Team Ireland scheduled to arrive at Chaine Memorial in Larne at around 4pm. <\/p>\n
Arthur Murphy, Business Development Manager at P&O Ferries, said: \u201cWe are delighted to be supporting Sport Relief and the First Nation Home Challenge and are getting ready for a very busy few weeks as we welcome some of the biggest celebrities to P&O\u2019s ferry terminal. <\/p>\n
We are delighted that our Larne to Cairnryan route has been chosen to form such an important part of the First Nation Home Celebrity Challenge and although we wish all the teams good luck we will be backing team Ireland all the way!\u201d <\/p>\n
First Nation Home is sponsored by DHL and Heinken and supported by P&O Ferries and Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.
\nNick Fleming, Chief Executive, Ocean Youth Trust Scotland, said: \u201cWe are delighted to be a partner in this year\u2019s Sport Relief challenge event, First Nation Home. Ocean Youth Trust Scotland\u2019s usual crews are young people aged 12 \u2013 25 years. Meeting the challenge of adventure under sail – life aboard, tackling the wind, weather, waves, cold, tiredness and sea-sickness, they really develop as young people. It\u2019s going to be the same for the First Nation Home crews as they race our yachts across the North Channel. They\u2019re all accomplished athletes and TV personalities but as most are non-sailors, they\u2019ll have to work really hard, even more so to win for their nation\u201d<\/p>\n
The sailing schedule for all teams includes:
\n\u00b7 Sunday 11th March \u2013 Irish team to depart from Larne Harbour.
\n\u00b7 Tuesday 13th March \u2013 Welsh team to depart Larne Harbour
\n\u00b7 Wednesday 14th March \u2013 English team to depart Larne Harbour
\n\u00b7 Friday 16th March \u2013 Scottish team to depart Larne Harbour <\/p>\n
Teams: <\/strong><\/p>\n Ireland: Captain – Craig Doyle. Team members include Amanda Byram, Paddy Stephen Johns, Sonia O’Sullivan, Diarmuid Gavin, James Shane Byrne, Joe Barr and Ian Moore. <\/p>\n England: Captain – Josh Lewsey. Team members include Christopher “Chris” Boardman MBE, Gemma Atkinson, Katy Hill, Phil Spencer, Richard Stannard, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Martin Corry MBE and Phil Vickery MBE. <\/p>\n Scotland: Captain – Thom Evans. Team members include Graeme Obree, Dougie Vipond, Alain Baxter, Jennifer Reoch, Cat Cubie, Jock Wishart, Kenny Logan, Scott Hastings and Dr Stephanie Cook MBE. <\/p>\n Wales: Captain – Gethin Jones. Team members include Gareth Thomas, Joseph William Calzaghe, CBE, MBE, Iwan Gwyn Thomas MBE, Dafydd James, Richard Parks, Frances Donovan, Edward Wright and Matthew Page. <\/p>\n For more information on P&O Ferries visit POferries.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n