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£5m mystery gift to Sport Relief | £5m mystery gift to Sport Relief |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A mystery donor gave £5.5m to the BBC's Sport Relief appeal, pushing the total raised for vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to more than £19m. | A mystery donor gave £5.5m to the BBC's Sport Relief appeal, pushing the total raised for vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to more than £19m. |
After announcing the donation during Friday's live BBC broadcast, presenter Patrick Kielty said: "Wherever you are tonight, you are amazing." | After announcing the donation during Friday's live BBC broadcast, presenter Patrick Kielty said: "Wherever you are tonight, you are amazing." |
Organisers said it was a telephone donation and the sum was the largest in Comic Relief's 22-year history. | Organisers said it was a telephone donation and the sum was the largest in Comic Relief's 22-year history. |
Karl Reynolds of Sport Relief said it was a "phenomenal and humbling" act. | |
Inspiring | Inspiring |
"The generosity of this gift is overwhelming," said Mr Reynolds, who is head of fundraising at the charity. | |
"And along with all the other donations it will ensure that Sport Relief can continue to do life-changing work in the UK and in some of the poorest countries in the world." | |
Shearer visited Uganda to see Sport Relief workA spokeswoman said no-one at Sport Relief knew the identity of the donor but it was telephoned through during the BBC telethon. | |
It edged the total towards the £20m mark, although that is expected to be surpassed on Sunday when thousands of people are due to run a mile to raise more funds. | |
Last year's total on the night was £10m and grand total £18m. | Last year's total on the night was £10m and grand total £18m. |
Although yet to be confirmed as such, the £5.5m donation is thought to be the largest given to any telethon in the UK. | |
In 2000, racehorse owner Robert Hitchins celebrated his Ascot win by donating a million pounds to Children in Need. | |
That sum was matched by Scottish philanthropist Sir Tom Farmer six years later. | |
Celebrity boxing | Celebrity boxing |
The theme of this year's Sport Relief was "Rise To The Challenge". | The theme of this year's Sport Relief was "Rise To The Challenge". |
Former England footballer Alan Shearer and BBC presenter Adrian Chiles cycled 335 miles from Newcastle to London in two days. | Former England footballer Alan Shearer and BBC presenter Adrian Chiles cycled 335 miles from Newcastle to London in two days. |
There were Sport Relief-themed editions of Strictly Come Dancing and The Apprentice, and there was a celebrity boxing bout in which GMTV presenter Ben Shephard beat soul singer Lemar. | |
Jonathan Ross interviewed Michael Parkinson and last week, Little Britain star David Walliams and Olympic rower James Cracknell "swam to Africa" - covering the 12 miles from Gibraltar to Morocco. | |