Motorcycle insurance specialist Carole Nash has saved the “Iron Butt” of actor Danny John-Jules’ “Iron Butt” so he can tackle a 7,000 mile challenge in aid of Sports Relief.
Danny, who is best known for playing the Cat in the BBC sci-fi comedy hit , hit a last minute hitch when insurance for him and co-rider Graham Hoskins fell through. Management consultant Graham then sent a desperate last minute plea for help to Carole Nash boss David Newman who agreed to provide free cover for the duo and their Honda XL700V ABS Transalps bikes on the European leg of their fundraising adventure.
The expedition has been dubbed the “Iron Butts” as after Danny and Graham set off this weekend they will spend 16 days in the saddle as they circumnavigate the Mediterranean. The gruelling itinerary will see them ride through 14 countries across Europe, Asia the Middle East and Africa. But the brakes were nearly put on the whole expedition after their insurance plans fell through.
A grateful Danny joked: “When we heard that our insurance had fallen through we had quite the opposite of iron butts! But seriously Carole Nash really saved the day, or the 15 days, because without insurance this trip would have been dead in the water and with it the money Graham and I are set to raise for Sports Relief. We’re both immensely grateful.”
David Newman said Carole Nash was happy to help. “It’s not every day you get to rescue the Cat! We’re delighted to have been in a position to support such a testing biking challenge and, of course, Sports Relief which does such amazing work supporting disadvantaged people here in the UK and across the world.”
The two riders will kick-start the challenge with a celebrity send-off at noon on Saturday (February 27th) from The Ace Cafe London Motorcycle and Custom Show at Alexandra Palace. From there they’ll tackle the first 250 mile leg to the Channel Tunnel where they’ll pick up a train to Reims before riding on to Marseille and beyond. They will return to the UK on Sunday March 14th.
To raise as much money as they can Danny and Graham are looking not just for people to sponsor the ride but to bid one bay for biking gear donated by the motorcycle industry. For details of how to support the Iron Butts Sports Relief challenge visit: www.ironbutts.co.uk
