A Comic Relief celebrity white water rafting trip down Africa’s Zambezi river is set to kick start demand for charity challenges, according to specialist operator Global Adventure Challenges.
Former Spice Girl Melanie Chisolm, Waterloo Road actress Chelsee Healey, Radio 1 DJ Greg James and comedians Dara O’Briain and Jack Dee are to participate in the fundraising journey next month on the continent’s fourth longest river.
It comes four years after Gary Barlow, Cheryl Cole, Ronan Keating, Chris Moyles and others set off to climb Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Their climb raised £3.35 million for Comic Relief and put charity challenges in the spotlight.
Operators specialising in charity challenges around the world saw demand for Kilimanjaro treks soar.
Global Adventure Challenges reported a 400% per cent increase in enquiries immediately after the climb was broadcast in 2009. Demand has continued to grow for Kilimanjaro climbs and other “adrenalin adventures” ever since.
A record 50,000 people took part in charity challenges last year and the Comic Relief Zambezi Challenge is expected to make 2013 a record year for sign ups.
The growth is coming from individual travellers who want a once in a lifetime experience and are funding the charity challenges themselves.
Peter Robinson, managing director of Global Adventure Challenges, which has been operating Zambezi charity challenge trips since 2006, said: “The Zambezi challenge is the ultimate rafting challenge, the rapids are fast but it’s a massive thrill.
“There’s no doubt that the Comic Relief event will inspire people to sign up and we’re expecting interest to soar when it’s broadcast in March.”