Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

MPs Sweat It Out For Sport Relief

Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn was among a whole team of MPs and members of the House of Lords who came together today to complete the Westminster Mile and raise money for Sport Relief.

More than 70 Houses of Parliament members swapped their suits for shorts, trainers and their first Sport Relief red sock before going the distance around St James’s Park.

The MPs and Peers were in great company; starters' orders came from legendary four-minute miler Sir Roger Bannister and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell. First past the post was Labour MP Jim Murphy with a winning time of 5mins 22seconds, four seconds faster than his 2004 Westminster Mile record. Hot on his heals were Willie Rennie MP and Tom Brake MP.

Everyone put their best feet forward to help vulnerable people here in the UK and some of the world’s poorest countries, supported by Sport Relief. They are now calling on the rest of the nation to Go The Extra Mile and sign-up for the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on 15 July.

Richard Caborn, Minister for Sport, said: “This has been a fantastic event. It is great to see so many of my Parliamentary colleagues getting their trainers on and stretching their legs for Sport Relief. Whether running or walking, I hope everyone has just enjoyed taking part and raising money for such a good cause.”

To see the slightly rosy-faced MPs and Peers together with tens of 1000's of Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Milers in action you can tune into Sport Relief on BBC ONE, 15 July. Highlights will be part of The Sport Relief Mile show (10:30am – 12:00pm) presented by John Inverdale and The Night (19:00 – 00:30), presented by Chris Evans, Davina McCall, and Gary Lineker.
ENDS –

For more info including interview requests, contact the Sport Relief Press Office:

Harriet Foxwell: 020 78402528 / h.foxwell@comicrelief.org.uk
Sophie King: 020 78206942 / s.king@comicrelief.org.uk

About Sport Relief

Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568, in association with BBC Sport
Since its launch in 2002, Sport Relief has raised over £30 million.

Half of the money raised will be spent in the UK to help give those living in disadvantaged and divided communities a better life; the other half will help children and young people in the world’s poorest countries, faced with the daily reality of extreme poverty, abuse and exploitation

Go the Extra Mile on Sport Relief Saturday, July 15th 2006. Visit www.sportrelief.com to find out more!