Bleakley Braves the cold

As the UK gears up for the Sport Relief weekend, local celebrities have been rising to the challenge to do their bit to raise money for the poor and vulnerable in Northern Ireland, the UK and across the world.

BBC presenter and girlfriend of footballer, Frank Lampard, Christine Bleakley, plans to raise money for charity by taking part in a Sport Relief 2010 challenge on Strangford Lough.

It will be a massive physical challenge for Christine who, before training, had never, ever, been water-skiing.

The Newtownards-born presenter plans to be the first woman to water-ski across the English Channel. If Bleakley if successful she will raise over a whopping £1 million pounds for charity.

The stunning presenter, who co-hosts the BBC television programme, The One Show, has been training in the gym and on various Lakes since October

Bleakley is expected to attempt the crossing in late February or early March, depending on the weather and tidal conditions.

A complete novice, Christine will have to stay afloat on her skis for more than an hour as she makes the 21-mile journey on the world’s busiest shipping channel. She will have to contend with freezing temperatures and skiing on rough water, guided by a pilot through the busy shipping lanes.

Christine said she was inspired to take up the challenge after visiting Uganda last year and meeting a family whose mother had died of aids.

This is just one of many Sport Relief challenges set to take place this year between March 19 and 21.