MOTOR racing prodigy Billy Monger suffered life-changing injuries after a horror car crash at Donnington Park in 2017.
The double-amputee has been hailed an "inspiration" after taking on a staggering 140-mile walk, kayak and cycling Red Nose Day challenge to raise money for Comic Relief.
How much money did Billy Monger raise for Comic Relief 2021?
Billy Monger has raised a staggering £2,376,183 so far for Comic Relief.
According to its website, the money Billy raises will help support a number of life-changing projects both across the UK and around the world.
These include tackling mental health stigma, and helping those affected by domestic abuse – for example providing safety to families who need support.
What was Billy Monger's challenge?
Billy Monger, 21, took on a gruelling 140-mile walking, cycling and kayaking challenge across England.
And he revealed that Captain Sir Tom Moore inspired him to take on the feat.
Billy said in an exclusive chat that the late war hero was a "massive inspiration".
He added: "“Though he’s not here now, he’s played a part in getting me to be in a situation where I could attempt something like this.”"
The double amputee racing driver also revealed words of advice from Zoe Ball helped him complete the triathlon-inspired charity challenge when he was "running on fumes".
He tackled the event over five days to raise money for Red Nose Day – completing the final 50-mile stretch walking and cycling laps of Brands Hatch race track in Kent.
Billy's Big Red Nose Day Challenge, a documentary following his journey across England, aired on BBC One on Thursday, March 18, 2021.
He was spurred on by plenty of fans, including pop star Cheryl, and comedian Joel Dommett – who met him at Brands Hatch Circuit in Kent – and family.
His epic challenge brought tears to viewers' eyes, with many hailing him as "truly amazing" and "an absolute superstar".
Andrea Sidey tweeted: "Billy Monger, what a truly amazing guy you are.
"You did yourself and everyone around you very proud. I have no idea where you found your strength but you are an inspirational young man."
Billy tweeted: "Keep pushing, keep trying, keep going, keep moving and always keep believing."
BBC Radio 2 host Zoe, who cycled more than 300 miles for Sport Relief in 2018, joined him at Brands Hatch shortly before he finished the challenge on foot.
Billy said: "Zoe came to see me on the last day and at that point I woke up in the morning and I literally had nothing left in the tank before I even started the last day. I was running on fumes basically.
"One of the first things she said to me was about how she felt exactly the same and it was pure adrenaline that got her through the last day, and knowing that you were nearly there."
At that time he felt "terrible physically", but having that boost from Zoe made him "feel more at ease" about completing the challenge.
He added: "Everyone that I met, all the celebrities, people like Cheryl and Zoe Ball that had done challenges before for Comic Relief, every one of them had something positive."
Billy said the thought he was raising money for Comic Relief motivated him to keep pushing through the "dark and tough" moments.
He said: "There were a lot of times during the challenge and during the training where I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew.".
Billy underwent an intensive training regime, overseen by some of Britain's best coaches and athletes, to help him prepare for this epic task.
On the athlete's training team was Wildwater World Champion and Team GB Coach Hannah Brown, two-time World Paratriathlon Champion Hannah Moore, Paralympic Talent Coach Becky Hewitt, and Billy’s long-time trainer, Andy Wellfare.
What happened in Billy Monger's crash?
Billy Monger, from Gatwick, was heavily involved in kart racing from a young age.
A prodigy who started racing at just six years old, Billy quickly became one of Britain’s most exciting young talents within the world of competitive motor racing.
He competed all over the UK and the Channel Islands before he joined the F4 British Championship.
A successful Ginetta Junior racer, his skill on the track earned him the nickname "Billy The Whizz".
After moving to the big leagues in 2016, he took three podiums and finished 12th in the championship.
But on April 16, 2017, he was involved in what was described as one of British motorsport's most horrific crashes resulting in a double leg amputation.
Billy smashed into an unsighted stationary vehicle at 120mph during the Formula 4 championship race.
He was trapped inside his vehicle for more than 90 minutes at the Derby racetrack, before he was airlifted to hospital in Nottingham.
Although he underwent a series of operations, doctors were unable to save his lower legs.
Defeating all odds, incredible Billy walked part of the track where he crashed into another car on prosthetic legs just months later.
In a tweeted statement after the crash, Billy said: "The marshals, medics, doctors, air ambulance and extraction crews at Donington along with all the staff at the Queens medical centre – what can I say?
“Without you guys I wouldn’t be here today! I will always thank you for saving my life."
In December, less than a year on from the crash, he received the President's Award from FIA President Jean Todt.
The gong is given to those who have "displayed courage, determination and sportsmanship but to also include those that have contributed greatly to the broader FIA community."
Is Billy Monger still racing?
The racing star's website says that "despite the huge personal challenges that lay ahead, Billy wasted no time in setting out his goal to return to motor racing in the future.
It states: "Fuelled by an outpouring of support from the motorsport industry and the wider public, Billy embarked on his remarkable journey to a different future."
A determined Billy said: "All the support just makes me more determined to get back in the car and win again. That's my goal."
In a car specially modified by Carlin, Billy made his return to racing in March, 2018, in the British F3 Championship.
This is a series which has fostered drivers such as Brazilian racing legend Aryton Senna, FIA Formula E Championship racer Jean-Eric Vergne and F1 ace Daniel Ricciardo.
Taking part in the first qualifying session of the season, less than a year after his horrific accident, Billy placed his Carlin British F3 car fifth on the grid.
Billy went on to finish an incredible third and walked on to the podium.
The 2019 season saw him graduate into the Euroformula Open Championship, winning the prestigious Pau Grand Prix, while completing his first campaign at European Formula 3 level.
It was his first victory since having both legs amputated in 2017.
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Billy is hoping to make the step up to the top with Formula One.
Monger said on Twitter of his victory in 2019: "Can't believe it, I didn't think 2 years on I'd be winning races!"
He added he was "over the moon".
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