Davina McCall joins Julia Bradbury for Covent Garden climbing challenge

Mark Chandler12 January 2016

Davina McCall raced up a climbing wall in Covent Garden today in a bid to encourage more people to challenge themselves this year.

The presenter was one of a string of celebrities including fellow TV host Julia Bradbury and impressionist Jon Culshaw who joined in the eight metre climb as former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips judged their performance.

They were helping to publicise the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) Diamond Challenge, a project encouraging thousands of people to take on an adventurous goal, from skydiving to cycling.

Research by the charity, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, shows only 17 per cent of UK adults challenged themselves a lot in 2015 despite half of respondents still wanting to be adventurous.

Davina McCall and Julia Bradbury share a joke
Alex Lentati

The charity hopes it can help people reach that aim with the scheme, which allows them to choose from three challenge categories; adventure, personal and skill.

Chief executive Peter Westgarth explained: “Being able to push yourself past boundaries and overcome challenges is an essential part of personal development - inspiring confidence, skills and knowledge.

“That's what the Duke of Edinburgh's Award is all about and that's what the DofE Diamond Challenge is all about too.

“We hope to give people the chance to both help the DofE charity and fulfil their own goals in 2016."

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