Denise Van Outen crashes and Towie’s Georgia Bright pees herself as stars take on gruelling 187-mile charity ride in honour of Sun fitness guru Nicki Waterman
Denise was left with a twisted knee after taking a tumble when she hit a pothole. She is leading a 20-strong team of riders to raise money for Brain Tumour Research
DENISE Van Outen has narrowly escaped a nasty injury after crashing into fellow cyclist while taking part in a gruelling 187-mile charity bike ride across India.
The actress is leading a 20-strong team of celeb riders in the challenge in memory of The Sun’s fitness expert Nicki Waterman – and she’s not the only star to have suffered a set back.
TOWIE’s Georgia Bright, sister of The Jump’s Lydia Bright, has suffered a series of panic attacks and wet herself.
Their challenge is in honour of The Sun’s beloved fitness expert, Nicki Waterman, who died last August from a brain tumour.
Michelle Heaton, 37, TV presenter Kate Thornton, 44, X Factor’s Kye Sones, 34, and Georgie Bright, 27, younger sister of The Jump’s Lydia, are also doing it, along with Nicki’s daughter, Alex Thrussell, 32, and TV presenter Jane Witherspoon, 37, whose father Mac died from a brain tumour last year.
As the riders got into the swing of day four, ready to tackle the jungle and plantations, Denise came a cropper, clipping the back of Sun journalist Christina Earle’s wheel – sending them both flying.
The 42-year-old who played Roxie Hart in the hit musical Chicago was left with a twisted knee, while Christina suffered grazes on her hands.
Denise said: “Christina braked and swerved to try and miss a pothole but veered into my path before I could slow down.
“Before I knew it we were both in a heap on the ground.
“Fortunately there wasn’t anyone behind us, otherwise it could have been a lot worse.
“My knee hurt so much it left me in tears.
“It took a long while for the pain to subside and I was afraid to get back on again in case it happened again.
“For a moment, I thought I couldn’t do it.
“But thinking about my dear friend Nicki is helping me get through it – which is why I got back on my saddle.
“This challenge is unbelievably gruelling – the heat is unbearable, the roads are uneven and full of potholes and the hill climbs make my whole body ache.”
Morale is still strong amongst the team and we are all supporting each other. All the money raised is going to an excellent cause – so please donate all you can
Denise Van Outen
Fortunately, Denise and Christina did not need medical attention – but it is not the only drama the team have faced.
Earlier this week the team cycled 60 miles over 10 hours across the Western Ghats Mountains – which involved a 1,200 metre ascent.
It was so gruelling Georgia suffered panic attacks and wet herself. Michelle found herself in floods of tears three times as she struggled with the steep inclines.
And Alex also fell off her bike – leaving her with grazes to her elbows and arms.
Denise said: “This is the hardest challenge I have ever done.
“Walking the Great Wall of China, cycling across Northern India and trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro was easier than this.
“But morale is still strong amongst the team and we are all supporting each other.
“All the money raised is going to an excellent cause – so please donate all you can.”
Christina said: “I have never pushed my body to such extremes before.
“In Nicki’s final days I promised her I would do all I can to help others with brain tumours – and if putting myself through this to fulfil that promise then every bit of pain I am experiencing is worth it.
“Nicki would be so proud of what we are achieving.”
To donate , or text Nicki to 70660 to donate £5.
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