Cross Channel Comedian gets green light as he qualifies in Croatia

    /24-7PressRelease/ - June 23, 2006 - "To be honest it was harder today than I thought, in fact it was utter misery - you get to the point where you feel an awful lot of pain, your arms have been pounding the water for hours on end and they hurt a lot."

David was required to complete the 8-hour swim, the longest of his training so far, before the Channel Swimming Association would allow him to attempt to cross the 21 mile channel for the Speedo Sport Relief Super Swim.

The Croatian waters provided the perfect conditions for David's test, with sea temperatures approximately the same as they will be in the Channel when he swims in early July.

"I didn't figure on the level of fatigue - even with just 15 minutes to go I was counting the seconds until it was over. It was hard to find the energy to get out at the end."

'Swimming for 8 hours has made me realise that this is a serious business! Its hard to feel confident about it because its just such a difficult thing to do."

David was motivated to attempt this extraordinary feat after being asked what he would like to do to help Sport Relief. He is urging the public to get behind his marathon swim effort by going to Sport Relief Super Swim (http://www.sportrelief.com/superswim ) and sponsoring him.

"This is the most challenging thing I have ever had to do, and I'm counting on the public to keep me going, and keep me afloat as I'm swimming - you can pledge your support and find out more about what's in store for me at Sport Relief Super Swim (http://www.sportrelief.com/superswim )

The public can also support David by texting 'SWIM DAVID' to 82125

"I should have said I wanted to go on a date with Cindy Crawford, people could have sponsored me to go for dinner with Cindy" he said.

The story of David's enormous undertaking will be documented in a one-hour programme, Little Britain's Big Swim on BBC ONE on July 14th.

Notes to Editors:
Texts cost 1 plus standard operator charge and at least 70p from each text will go towards David's fundraising total. Every person to text will receive a phone wallpaper image of David dressed as a lady!

T&Cs:
Wallpaper costs 1 plus your standard network rate. Pre-paid users will not receive the download if there is insufficient credit on the phone. Phones must be WAP enabled. Errors will be billed. All information and pricing correct at date of print but may be subject to change without notice. Users of the service must be 16+ and have the billpayers permission. For full terms and conditions go to www.itouch.co.uk/terms/sportreliefwallpaper. Service provided by iTouch UK, EC2A 4PF. Customer care 0871 200 2727 (national rate.)
For more facts about the Speedo Sport Relief Super Swim please visit Sport Relief Super Swim (http://www.sportrelief.com/superswim ).
Speedo is helping Sport Relief 2006 make a real splash with the Speedo Super Swim. The world's leading swimwear brand has lent its support to comedian David Walliams, throughout the impressive endurance feat.
Professor Greg Whyte is the Director of Science and Research at the English Institute of Sport. The EIS provides sports science and sports medicine support to the country's top athletes. For more information on the EIS log on to http://www.eis2win.co.uk
Go the Extra Mile on Sport Relief Saturday, July 15th 2006. Visit Sport Relief (http://www.sportrelief.com ) to find out more
To make a donation, call 08457 910 910 (local call charges apply)
Sport Relief was set up by Comic Relief and BBC Sport to tackle poverty and disadvantage here at home and overseas
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
Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568, in association with BBC Sport

For more information contact:
Katie Morrison: [email protected] or 020 7820 6937
or Lucy McGill: [email protected] or 020 7840 2529

For pictures contact:
Kate Knowles: [email protected] or 020 820 5536

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