Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton has completed a 2,000-mile kayak trip along the Amazon for Sport Relief.
ATD medic Dr Lucy Dickinson poses with the BBC Blue Peter Amazon Team
The 26-year-old was greeted by cheers and celebratory gunfire as she crossed the finish line in Almerim, Brazil. Helen clocked up 2,010 miles since she set off on her solo journey from Natua in Peru on 20 January.
Our very own Dr Lucy Dickinson has the pleasure of accompanying the whole Blue Peter expedition to the Amazon but rumours have it is she is more excited about the prospect of gaining an exlusive Blue Peter badge than exploring one of the world’s greatest natural wonders!!
Helen is of course no stranger to adventure, as in 2009 she completed the Namibia Ultra Marathon.
The BBC star, who had never been in a kayak before training, broke two world records as she became the first woman to paddle the length of the river. The records – for the longest solo journey by kayak and the longest distance in a kayak in 24 hours by a woman – are awaiting official verification.
The TV presenter paddled about 60 miles a day, six days a week, to reach the target. Skelton said of her challenge: “It’s been tough but I’ve had enough highs to make it more than worthwhile.”
Blue Peter, which is showing Skelton’s epic journey in two special episodes on 16 and 17 March, hopes her efforts will inspire families across the UK to rise to their own challenge for Sport Relief.
