Entertainment
Comic Relief 2021: Who is racing driver Billy Monger and how old is he?
Racer Billy Monger has been praised for tackling a gruelling challenge for Red Nose Day, completing 140-mile trek.
The professional racer, 21, lost his legs in a horror crash in 2017, when he was just 17-years-old.
Refusing to let the injury hold him back, he endured a four-day trek last month.
Battling the elements, he walked, kayaked and cycled 140 miles around the UK – to raise money and awareness for those in need.
His triumphant journey is the focus of BBC special, Billy Monger’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge, ahead of the main show on Friday.
Who is Billy Monger?
Billy Monger, also known as Billy Whizz, is an award-winning Formula 4 driver. His love of driving was sparked from a very young age, with his dad giving him his first go-kart at three-years-old.
He followed this passion up and joined F4 in 2016.
Sadly his second season was cut short after he lost his legs in a devastating car crash.
When did Billy Monger have his crash?
Just weeks before his 18th birthday, Billy crashed his car at high speed into the back of Patrik Pasma’s stationary vehicle, while taking part in a race at Donnington Park Circuit.
He almost lost his life in the smash, and had to have both of his legs amputated – with his left leg amputated above the knee and the right leg below the knee.
Pasma didn’t suffer serious injuries.
At the time, a string of high profile drivers from across the industry – including Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button – offered their support, with a JustGiving page for the teenager raising more than £500,000.
Is Billy Monger still racing?
Billy made his comeback to racing year after his ordeal, getting back behind the wheel of a modified car.
He managed to finish the race in third place, and had an emotional return to the podium.
What did Billy Monger do to raise money for Comic Relief 2021?
Billy embarked on an incredible challenge for Comic Relief 2021, taking on a 140-mile trek – by walking, kayaking and cycling the huge distance.
He set off from Millennium Bridge in Gateshead last month, and was cheered on by famous faces including Gabby Logan and Steve Jones.
Chris Ramsey joined the athlete for some of the journey, praising his incredible attempt.
Speaking as his challenge began, he said: ‘Suddenly it all felt very real. Walking batters my legs. Muscle wise and strength wise the morning felt good, but by lunchtime my right leg was hurting a lot.
‘Mentally, this is the toughest day for me. Today was always going to be more of a mental challenge and a battle to get the prosthetics right.
‘When I was approached about doing this challenge. I knew if I was going to do it, I wanted to do it the way any non-disabled person would. I took part in Red Nose Day stuff at school when I was younger. I never could have imagined doing one of these challenges myself.
‘But so many people helped me after my accident, I feel like this is a way of giving something back.’
Comic Relief kicks off on Friday, at 7pm, on BBC One.
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