Gemma’S Such a Good Sport
DANCING queen Gemma Atkinson has launched this year’s official Sport Relief merchandise with an unusual choice of dance partner – a Sainsbury’s shopping trolley.
Strictly Come Dancing favourite Gemma put her own spin on the everyday task of shopping with a four-wheeled routine which dazzled unsuspecting Sainsbury’s shoppers at Ashton Moss.
The 33-year-old Bury actress and Key 103 radio presenter was there to launch Sport Relief merchandise, available now in Sainsbury’s stores and online with at least 50 per cent of every sale going to Sport Relief.
The charity appeal is challenging the nation to beat a billion steps a day, every day from Saturday March 17 to Friday 23, tracking their progress through the new Sport Relief app while looking the part in the official merchandise.
Gemma said: “Dancing with a trolley is not as easy as it might look! There were a few near misses, but I had a lot of fun.
“I hope today has shown just how easy it is to get active, raise money and change lives this Sport Relief.”
Former Emmerdale actress Gemma, who was a finalist in last year’s Strictly with Aljaž Škorjanec and recently confirmed her romance with professional dancer Gorka Marquez, who she met on the show, was paired up with one of the store’s trolley collectors to learn the basics, then let loose in the car park to put her coordination to the test, impressing shoppers with her moves.
One Sainsbury’s colleague who Gemma put in a spin was Lee Mottershead, 23, from Ashton who said: “I wasn’t expecting to be dancing when I came into work today, least of all with Gemma Atkinson!
“We do something for Sport Relief in store every year, but nothing quite like this. It’s been really fun, Gemma was a great dance partner.”
Rachel Carrington, sponsorship manager at Sainsbury’s said: “We’ve been proud partners of Sport Relief for many years. In 2016, Sainsbury’s colleagues and customers raised over £7m, making a huge difference to those in need.
“We’re hoping that our efforts this year will make an even bigger difference and are delighted to have Gemma on board to give this year’s campaign an extra push.”
For more information on how to get involved with this year’s Sport Relief campaign, download the Sport Relief App for free or go to sportrelief.com.