Telegraph political journo, Dan Hodges, streaks down Whitehall naked to raise money for Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).
Following a pre-election 2015 Twitter boast that if UKIP achieved more than 6 per cent of the national vote he would streak down Whitehall naked, Dan Hodges, political commentator for The Telegraph, today kept his word, taking 3 minutes, 37 seconds to streak down Whitehall, in the pouring rain. All funds raised he is donating to charity.
Dan chose THT, the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity, to receive the donation following UKIP leader Nigel Farage’s comments before the election, that migrants living with HIV should be blocked from entering the UK.
Encouraged by Twitter followers, MPs and fellow journalists, 243 days after UKIP received 12.6 per cent at the General Election, Dan ran past Downing Street naked this morning wearing nothing except a pair of Calvin Kleins.
Ladbrokes opened a special book betting on the time it would take Dan to complete the streak, donating the proceeds, as well as a lump sum of £500, to THT and Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope, who provide life-changing support for children who have lost their limbs through war, accidents, and lack of access to medical care.
Dan has created an online fundraising page to benefit both the charities.
To donate, click here:
Sonya Trivedy Executive Director of Fundraising at THT said: “We are really thrilled at both Dan and Ladbroke’s generosity. It is to Dan’s credit that he is keeping his word 243 days after the general election result. It is all in good fun, but for Terrence Higgins Trust Dan’s choice to donate underpins a serious issue.
“UKIP leader Nigel Farage’s comments before the election, that migrants living with HIV should be blocked from entering the UK, showed an outrageous lack of understanding of the issue, and were based on absolute fiction. So Dan’s choice of a shared donation to Terrence Higgins Trust because of these outrageous and dangerous claims means a lot.”
Dan added: “It’s a great honour to be getting naked and mobile on behalf of the Terrence Higgins Trust. I have got a number of political predictions wrong in my career, but this is the first that has gone to helping such a worthwhile cause.
“During my arduous journey I shall also be fortified by the knowledge that Nigel Farage and UKIP are – in their own way – helping raise money for the fight against HIV”.
A Ladbrokes spokesperson, said: “We’re glad Dan kept his end up of the bargain up when losing a bet, and we were more than happy to support him, and the Terrence Higgins Trust, which is an incredibly worthy cause.”