Bake Off star James Morton turns up heat for Monster challenge

Friday 8 February 2013

Great British Bake Off finalist James Morton is hoping he'll rise to the challenge after signing up for the Maggie’s Centre’s tenth Monster Bike and Hike.

James baked a special cake to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Monster Bike and Hike challenge

James, who is the son of Scots broadcaster, writer and musician Tom Morton, will cycle 31 miles and then trek up to 41 miles during the gruelling 24 hour challenge, which aims to raise funds for Maggie’s Centres across the UK.

The third year Glasgow University medical student, 21, has also baked a special cake for the Maggie’s Centre at Gartnavel Hospital to celebrate the challenge’s 10^th anniversary. James, who will release his first cook book in August, said: “I had heard about some of the amazing work that Maggie’s do through my studies, and my Dad had mentioned years ago about Monster. “So this year a few friends and I decided to sign up because not only would we be helping raise money for an incredibly worthwhile cause, we knew it would also be a fantastic and challenging event to take part in. “We are really looking forward to it and can’t wait to get out amongst the amazing Scottish scenery and to enjoy what I have been told is a fantastic atmosphere. “We are going for the gold finish. Some of our team are known to be quite competitive, and I think we might be persuaded to aim for one of the top spots.” James shot to fame after appearing on the third season of the show Great British Bake Off and is well known for his Fair Isle jumpers and experimental approach to baking. He narrowly missed out on the Great British Bake Off title after losing to law student John Whaite in the final. He now hopes that his participation in the Monster challenge will be the start of a long friendship with Maggie’s. He said: “Maggie’s features prominently in certain parts of our curriculum, so we are encouraged to go away and find out what amazing emotional, practical and social support the Centres offer to people with cancer, their friends and families. “I fully believe that the support Maggie’s offers is vital to helping people on and through their cancer journeys and I look forward to working even more closely with Maggie’s once I am qualified.” The Monster challenge, which starts at the beginning of the Great Glen Way in Fort William, will take place on May 4 and 5. It aims to raise vital funds for Maggie’s to help build more centres to care for those battling cancer across the UK. Claire O’Neill, Maggie’s events marketing manager, said: “Monster really is a truly special event and this year even more so because it is our 10^th birthday. “Everyone at Maggie’s is delighted to be welcoming James and his team to the challenge. “I know he will have a fantastic time and leave home a bit sore and weary but with a fantastic sense of achievement – both in what he has achieved personally by completing gold and by the funds they have raised for Maggie’s. “The efforts and determination of everyone who takes part, and the volunteers who help run the event, are hugely appreciated by everyone at Maggie’s.”

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Bake Off star James Morton turns up heat for Monster challenge

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