UK

Tom Daley receives hero’s welcome after completing gruelling four-day Comic Relief challenge

Olympic champion Tom Daley has completed his four-day Hell of a Homecoming for Red Nose Day

Olympic champion Tom Daley has completed his four-day Hell of a Homecoming for Red Nose Day (Getty/BBC)

Olympian Tom Daley has completed his intense “Hell of a Homecoming” endurance challenge for Comic Relief.

The “epic” four-day mission saw the gold-medallist rowing, swimming, cycling and running from London to Devon as he visited places that have played an important role in his life and career.

After travelling all the way from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford to his home town of Plymouth, the decorated diver received a much-deserved hero’s welcome as hundreds of supporters cheered him on at the finish line.

Followers were quick to celebrate Daley’s achievement on social media as one fan tweeted: “Amazing Tom Daley! For a sportsman who competes in a short, controlled, technical way it’s incredible to see you doing this mega triathlon for charity.”

Another added: “Tom Daley, you should be very very proud of yourself well done on this amazing challenge.You are an exceptional human being thank thank you thank you.”

“In absolute awe Tom Daley @comicrelief,” one fan wrote.

Another stated: “Tom Daley⁩ you are a hero in so many ways! Fantastic effort for ⁦@comicrelief.”

Daley began his journey on Monday (14 February) with a six-mile row to the Tower of London, before cycling 60 miles to the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake.

He then swam 1,000 metres in the icy waters of the lake, before he ran 30 miles with help from his mum and Eddie Izzard, to make it all the way home.

As he crossed the finish line, the 27-year-old said the challenge was “the hardest thing” he had ever done in his life.

“I can’t believe I’ve made it to Plymouth after all I’ve been through the past few days. It’s been the hardest four days of my life,” he stated. “I can’t wait to just crash and not do anything for a very long time. I’m exhausted!”

Daley continued: “If you can, please donate what you can to Red Nose Day because it would make a world of difference to so many families all across the country.

“To come home and see all my family here, as well as so many people, is pretty special, so thank you. I don’t really know what else to say other than I just need to go and sleep for about six years! Thank you all so much and love you.”

Tom Daley’s journey was filmed for a BBC documentary airing in March ahead of Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day on 18 March.

The money raised by Daley will help support vital life-changing work, tackling issues including homelessness, domestic abuse, poverty and mental health problems in the UK and around the world.

Just one month before the endurance challenge, Tom Daley was made an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

The Olympic diver promised to use the honour to advocate for the rights of LGBT+ people across the Commonwealth.

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