Editing James Cracknell (section)

== Charitable activities ==
From 27 February 2008, Cracknell covered over 1,400 miles from Britain to Africa in 10 days, rowing, cycling and swimming. He rowed from [[Dover]], England to [[Cap Gris Nez]], France, then cycled to [[Tarifa]], Spain, and finally swam across the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] from Tarifa to [[:es:Islote Punta Cires|Punta Cires]], Morocco. The comedian [[David Walliams]] joined him for the final part of his journey providing support from his previous experience of swimming the [[English Channel]].<ref>{{cite web |title=David Walliams and James Cracknell swim 12-mile Strait of Gibraltar in 4 hours 36 minutes |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/latest/2008/03/08/david-walliams-and-james-cracknell-swim-12-mile-strait-of-gibraltar-in-4-hours-36-minutes-89520-20343807/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090416200059/http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/latest/2008/03/08/david-walliams-and-james-cracknell-swim-12-mile-strait-of-gibraltar-in-4-hours-36-minutes-89520-20343807/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2009 |website=Mirror.co.uk |date=8 March 2008 |access-date=13 March 2008 }}</ref> The money raised by the challenge went towards the BBC's [[Sport Relief]] charity, with highlights of the action broadcast on 14 March. He was the [[celebrity]] guest at The WiG GiG which raise over £10,000 for [[Macmillan Cancer Support]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/news/1656082.hairraising_charity_bash/|title=Hair-raising charity bash|website=Ealing Times|date=31 August 2007 |access-date=31 October 2017}}</ref>

In January 2009, Cracknell took part in the Amundsen Omega 3 South Pole Race with his TV presenter friend [[Ben Fogle]] and Dr Ed Coats as members of ''Team QinetiQ'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Team QinetiQ Home Page |url=http://www.teamqinetiq.com/ |access-date=4 October 2009}}</ref> finishing in second, 20 hours behind the winning Norwegian team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Norway beats Britain in Pole race |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7846551.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=4 October 2009 |date=23 January 2009}}</ref> The race and the reasons behind was broadcast on BBC Television during summer 2009 in the series ''[[On Thin Ice (TV series)|On Thin Ice]]''. The trio raised funds for the [[children]]'s medical research charity Sparks, chosen as the charity partner in memory of Cracknell's niece, Eva, who died at six days old after suffering oxygen deprivation at birth.<ref>{{cite web|title=Race to Save Tiny Lives |url=http://www.sparks.org.uk/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=442&srcid=191 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416195710/http://www.sparks.org.uk/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=442&srcid=191 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2009 |access-date=4 October 2009 }}</ref>

On Saturday 3 October 2009, Cracknell and Ben Fogle started a 60-hour (estimated) journey from [[Edinburgh]] to London riding a [[Cycle rickshaw|rickshaw]] in support of [[SSAFA]]. They aimed to arrive in time for the ''[[Pride of Britain Awards]]'' ceremony on Monday 5 October 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ride of Britain |url=http://rideofbritain.org.uk/ |access-date=5 October 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001200903/http://www.rideofbritain.org.uk/ |archive-date= 1 October 2009 }}</ref> They endured storm force gales in [[Scotland]] and [[Northumberland]] on their first day of the 450-mile ride.<ref name="mirror1">{{cite web |title=Ben Fogle and James Cracknell endure storm during charity rickshaw challenge |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/10/05/a-stormin-ride-115875-21723395/ |publisher=The Daily Mirror |date=5 October 2009}}</ref> Early on the last day they made a stop at [[Etonbury Academy|Etonbury Middle School]] in [[Arlesey]], off the [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1 road]] to London, where about 100 children welcomed them and to wave them on their way.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ben Fogle and James Cracknell stop off at Arlesey school on their 450-mile charity rickshaw ride |url=http://www.thecomet.net/content/comet/news/story.aspx?brand=CMTOnline&category=News&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestCMT&itemid=WEED05%20Oct%202009%2015%3A18%3A10%3A170 |publisher=The Comet |date=5 October 2009}}</ref>