BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James has kicked off a mammoth triathlon challenge in Belfast in a bid to raise money for refugees in Jordan.

He braved the chilly waters of Belfast harbour, cycled around the city and ran past the historic shipyard where the Titanic was built and launched.

It was the start of a Sport Relief challenge to complete triathlons in five UK cities on five consecutive days. He finishes in Norwich on Friday.

Greg said: “I feel like jelly, I feel really sick but I’m so excited. To quote The Weeknd, I can’t feel my face, it’s so cold.”

BBC Radio 1 DJ and presenter Greg James (Tom Dymond/Comic Relief)BBC Radio 1 DJ and presenter Greg James (Tom Dymond/Comic Relief)

 

It was a wet and windy start to a gruelling five days but he was boosted by a good luck message from Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

Greg’s challenge will see him run, swim and cycle in indoor and outdoor conditions, facing rising fatigue and extensive muscle damage as he repeats his demanding schedule day after day. He is encouraging public donations, which go to charity Comic Relief and its work with Syrian refugees in Jordan.

At least 12,000 Syrians have left their homes and everything they own and are stranded just inside Jordan in a barren desert area due to tighter border controls.

In January, he travelled to Jordan to meet families displaced by the Syrian war and living in desperate conditions.

Greg James braves the icy waters (Tom Dymond/Comic Relief)Greg James braves the icy waters (Tom Dymond/Comic Relief)

 

He visited a nursery within the Azraq refugee camp and saw how Comic Relief funding is used to help young children. The money raised through Sport Relief is intended to help educate more children and support their families.

The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games run from Friday March 18 to Sunday March 20. There are thousands of events across the UK.