Life can be strange sometimes. Actually a lot of what goes on in my life is strange, but that’s a different story. This story though concerns David Walliams. Four years ago I wrote this blog post after David swam the Thames for Sport Relief: David Walliams — My Hero. I thought David should be Knighted.
I had forgotten that I had written the post to be honest, until Annie, Penny and I got a chance to talk to David in our hotel on Saturday afternoon. We were all shattered after our day at various projects so we were thrilled when David asked if we fancied a quick chat. When I asked David about how he got involved in Comic Relief and how he mentally prepared for the Thames swim he had said that isnt something you can mentally prepare for. Physically yes, but not so much mentally. David also mentioned how the Thames swim had been lovely as people got to come and watch, and when I mentioned one of those people had been Jonnie on his birthday when the school all got to go down to the river bank, I remembered the post.
Reading it now makes me cringe to be honest but hey, if blogging has taught me one thing, it’s that you have to take the piss out of yourself every now and again.
Once I had remembered that post, spending an afternoon watching David doing pieces to camera and radio back in the UK became a bit surreal to be honest. And it was a great thing to be able to witness as we stood in the grounds of HOVIC, a project in Kisumu that receives support from Comic Relief. David had first become aware of HOVIC when he made this film for Comic Relief back in 2012
HOVIC is a great project. They provide boys living on the streets with a bed for the night, food and importantly education. They also get access to social workers and counsellors. Whilst there we got to see lessons taking place, a room where girls can come and learn to be tailors, the boys making beaded bracelets, and a group having lunch.
And boys just being boys climbing trees, whilst others cranked up the stereo and had a party (that we just had to join in with).
It’s hard to believe that many of these boys are orphans, have lived on the street from the age of ten, sniffed glue, been beaten up by other boys and now come out the other side of all that as young men with the skills to do something with their lives. We chatted to two young men, Daniel and Joseph who are running their own businesses thanks to the help they got from this project.
There are so blog posts I could write and so many stories to tell and photos to share that right now I don’t really know where to begin but I did want to give you a taste of what is it like to see behind the scenes of any of the footage you may have seen on TV on Monday this week when Red Nose Day 2015 launched. This is the scene in the Gallery as David went live onto This Morning with Philip and Christine (and primed the boys to say their favourite presenters were Eamonn and Ruth which was just too funny):
And this is David as he did his piece for NewsBeat on Radio 1
This project had a huge impact on me, knowing that David had met Philip here and how his life has changed dramatically from the small boy with no shoes living on the central reservation to the boy now in full time school with the dream of being a pilot thanks to it was really emotional. We have used the #LastingChange message alot this weekend and it so evident here that it really is happening.
And on a personal level it affirmed once again that life is indeed very strange sometimes, and that life is what you make it. Joshua for instance had walked 500km to get to HOVIC because he wanted to make something of his life. He wanted the help to get off the street so made it happen.
I had no involvement with Comic Relief when I wrote that post in 2011. The idea of Team Honk was still a year away but it was when the seed was planted in my mind that I wanted to get more involved with them.
Who knew it would lead to this in four years. Probably a bit how Philip feels too I should think.
Brilliant. You’ve all been on my mind the whole time and reading what you’re doing is incredibly moving. Very proud of you XXX
“They’re just little boys who should e in bunk beds and playing with toys” THAT really gets to me.
My boy is 12. I cannot even imagine
Exactly that Tara, utterly heartbreaking that these boys even need a place like this. That 20,000 are still on the streets in this city.
T – I have been thinking non stop about you all all weekend, I have been watching and reading in awe. I think what Team Honk has done is incredible, and I have, like you, been a huge fan of David Walliams since he swan the Thames and the Channel.
It is wonderful to see the difference Comic Relief has made, but it also underlines how much more still needs to be done.
Amazing! what else can I say? You guys have achieved incredible things and helped changed the lives of so many – take a bow Mrs, you deserve it! x x x
Just awesome. Him, you, the other two honkers, Comic Relief and most of all the people who the charity helps, who do so much to help themselves, who so desperately want a chance at something better. I am SO proud of you guys and SO proud of them and SO proud to be a human being on a good human being day. Hope you get some rest and plenty of hugs now you are home – you must be physically and emotionally exhausted. Big loves and much awe of the Barrowness from me
Wonderful work ladies. Thanks so much for sharing, it is great to see where the money goes and just how much of a difference it can make.
Oh T…I cried and I am still doing it. 🙁 Wonderful thing you doing! Wonderful!
you have all been so amazing. The photos you have been uploading have been so eye opening.
What a lovely update, it’s been so wonderful watching the progress of all you Honkers and so great to see you making a difference x keep up the good work!
What an amazing project and so wonderful how Comic Relief is helping so many young people turn their lives around.
Team Honk are just FABULOUS. xx
Can’t find any words today T other than it is, as always amazing to travel with you and this project blew my mind too x
So emotive and what a great project it is. I only wish everyone could visit to see it for themselves x
Such an amazing thing for you to see the change in those boys’ lives first hand. It must have been awe-inspiring. I find it incredible that a boy would walk so far to get help. Brilliant to know that Comic Relief is making such a difference to them.
I didn’t realise it was that long ago that David did his swim.So many lives saved and improved, a truly amazing thing to be a part of.
And there’s so much more to come for Team Honk this year.My Time Hop app keeps reminding of all the places that were covered during the relay last year.It’s amazing what the blogging community has achieved, so places like Hovic can continue to care for and educate street children.