News Update

March 2009

Dizzy Heights for Greg Whyte and Comic Relief Celebrities
A HUGE RED NOSE DAY congratulations to Professor Greg Whyte and the nine celebrities who conquered Mount Kilimanjaro, and raised over £1.5 million for the Comic Relief fund.

Greg, Optima-life's Technical Consultant, worked with the stars over a number of months before the event making sure they were in the right physical shape to cope with the arduous climb.

The nine celebrities¹ fought many personal battles during the 19,000 metre climb with several of them suffering from altitude sickness. Bitterly cold nights and tough climbing conditions failed to dampen spirits and the tremendous will power and camaraderie among the team provided the additional resolve to get them through.

Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles had put his fitness to the test a few weeks prior to the Comic Relief Climb. Accompanied by some of his Radio 1 colleagues, Greg led them up Mount Snowdon, a mere 3,560 feet above sea level.

Greg, who is Head of Applied Sport + Exercise Science at The Liverpool John Moores' University, had previously trained David Walliams in his Comic Relief cross Channel swim and both Adrian Chiles and Alan Shearer in their 335 mile Sport Relief bike ride from Newcastle to London via Birmingham. He was delighted that once again the preparation and hard work put in by all the celebrities paid off, as all nine of them were successful in their bid for the summit.