Sport Relief 2014 Songs of Praise

It's Sport Relief time again and the nation is getting ready

and set to raise money for charities at home and abroad.

So, Songs Of Praise is joining in.

We've come to St Peter's in Warwickshire,

where they're doing their bit inside the church.

Welcome to a rather different edition of Songs Of Praise!

Curling in the pews?! What's that all about?

Who exactly benefits from Sport Relief? More on that later.

The athlete aiming to make history at the Commonwealth Games.

And some stirring sporting hymns and songs.

Every two years, Sport Relief brings the nation together

to get active, have fun, and raise life-changing amounts of money.

And if you're on the hunt for inspiration

for something you can do, look no further than this place.

Six rural churches have come together to create

the Edgehill Games,

a mix of sports and activities anyone can get involved with.

Back where you started.

So, first of all, Barry, tell us what's going on today?

It's very noisy! It is very noisy, yeah!

We're having some fun today with the Edgehill Winter Games.

It's sort of a reprise of something we did in the summer of 2012

with the Olympics, with a bit of an inter-village competition.

We've got some of the kids from the local schools involved

with a few different events with a winter theme to them.

So, talk us through the events.

Because some have got some rather peculiar names!

Well, we have got a downhill computer game, skiing.

We've got snowball dodge ball. We're having some fun with that.

We've got indoor curling, running on ball bearings.

And that's working well.

And we've got a game called the Leaning Tower of Kneelers.

Did you come up with that? Yes.

It's a sort of relay game where they've got to build a large tower

of kneelers and see how high they can get in a set time.

More of that in a minute.

And our first song with a sporting theme

ought to get your feet tapping!

If that hasn't tired you out, then this certainly will!

BELLS RING

Oh, hello! So, as you can see, things are in full swing.

Let's go and have a little bit of a word

and a wander round some of our participants.

We have Lizzy here, who as you can see, is taking part in the snow...

what's it called, Lizzy? The Snowball Challenge.

Now, loads of the lads are going straight for the 20s

up at the top there. What are your own personal tactics?

Well, I'm going to go for the lower numbers first.

And then if I get those, go for the big 20. Good thinking. Love it.

Well done. All the best with that. Try not to hit us as we go through!

Over here, underneath the stained glass windows,

a bit of ski slalom going on. Enjoying yourselves, gentlemen? ALL: Yes!

Live high-five, excellent! Let's make our way back through here.

Excuse me, everybody. We've got a bit of bell ringing going on.

You might be able to hear that in the background.

And here is the curling court.

Perhaps the only curling court in the world that is marked out

with pew cushions! Darryl is in position. So, let's do this.

Darryl, ready to curl? Yeah! Curl!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Great curling! Well done! Champion!

For the vicar, Barry, this isn't just silly fun.

One of the values we have as a church,

one of our roles is to grow community.

That's our own personal growth, but actually wanting to draw people

together where we can know each other more,

make new friendships and strengthen old ones. And have some fun!

There's still time to get involved.

And if you want more information, go to bbc.co.uk/sportrelief.

We'll find out later which of these teams wins gold.

INSTRUMENTAL

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

At this year's Commonwealth Games, London 2012 silver medal winner

Stef Reid is hoping to make history.

Remarkably, in Glasgow, she wants to compete with the able-bodied

athletes in the long jump.

My dad is Glaswegian and I've declared for Scotland.

So the way the Commonwealth Games works is that

it's an able-bodied competition, but they do pick a few Para events.

And initially mine was chosen, but unfortunately,

they took my event out.

And I was devastated and I just thought,

"Gosh, you know, why not just try

"and qualify for Commonwealths as an able-bodied competitor?"

So you're really pushing the boundaries of sport?

Erm, yeah, I guess in a sense. But I know it's doable.

COMMENTATOR: Stefanie Reid...

Stef must jump over six metres if she is to compete -

a huge challenge.

But I wouldn't be surprised if she achieved that goal,

considering how far she's come

since she was hit by the propellers of a boat when she was just 16.

I had deep lacerations to my right leg and...

but a much more serious cut to my lower back.

And they took me to the closest clinic and, you know,

they did the best they could.

And by that point my parents had managed to come.

And I remember just being furious at the clinic doctor,

because he sent them in... to say goodbye.

You know, I was 16 and I did not... I wasn't ready to die.

And I was scared and, erm, that was the first time I really prayed

and asked God, you know, "Please save my life."

And God listened and he heard that prayer and I know he saved my life.

I remember waking up in Recovery and my mum walked in.

And she couldn't look at me.

And she came over and said, "Stefanie, I'm so sorry.

"We did everything we could, but they had to amputate."

And I was very...

..angry.

With...? What, yourself? With the situation? With God?

I think with God. I just thought, "This isn't what I signed up for.

"You know, why would you save my life

"and take away the one thing that I loved most?"

What I find amazing is that you fundamentally believe

that God has this perfect plan for your life.

Even though, at the age of 16, He took away the one thing

that you felt was the most important thing in your life.

Hmm, he did, but you know, the thing is even with that,

I still trusted him. And I've just seen how he's given it back to me.

Just, you know, in a way that I never, I never expected.

And I think, you know, God will surprise you like that.

And, you know, I said it before, I think ultimately

God is more concerned with our growth than our comfort.

For Sport Relief, Stef and I are now off to visit a charity

who use sport and exercise to inspire people facing homelessness.

For some young people, life can be very tough.

Faced with poverty and homelessness,

they don't just need a roof over their heads,

but people to believe in them.

This is YMCA Crewe, who look after a number of homeless young people.

But with the help of Sport Relief, it's much more than just a hostel.

Paralympic silver medallist Stef Reid is taking

a break from training and we're paying them a visit.

One way they try and engage with young people is through sport

and exercise.

Today, there's a Zumba session,

specially for young women affected by homelessness.

And Stef can't help but get involved.

CHEERING

While Stef is "Zumba-ing",

it's an opportunity for me to find out more about the charity.

When I first thought about coming to the Crewe YMCA,

I didn't think I'd see a Zumba class! You try all sorts here!

We do a whole host of programmes.

Being homeless is just a symptom for any of us.

It's something that's happened to us, it doesn't define us.

So what we try and do is obviously provide them somewhere to stay,

of course we would.

But then really what we're looking at are the underpinning issues.

But more importantly, the underpinning strengths

and talents that people have got.

So what we're trying, with everything that we do, is to turn lights on.

It's not every day a Paralympic medallist turns up.

And her story has captured their imagination.

I was in an accident, I was in hospital,

and that was a really devastating time for me.

I mean, I was so thankful to still be alive.

But at the same time, I just...

I just didn't really want to experience life without my foot.

I would love to hear about what you guys are doing here

and what is one of the best things that you've learned while being here?

Independent living. How to do things independently and on your own.

And that you can get the experience and overcome anything you want,

really. Mmm. If you just try.

What do you think would have happened

if you hadn't found the YMCA Crewe here?

Where do you think you would be now? In a cardboard box, wouldn't you?!

Probably! Cardboard box in Aldi car park!

No, you'd be more at rock bottom, wouldn't you?

You wouldn't have any support

and you wouldn't have anyone by your side. Hard.

What do you think you've learned from speaking to this great

Paralympian today?

I think the most I've learned is that, obviously, to have,

like, not your fault, that's such a big thing that's, you know,

it's such a big thing to lose.

And then, obviously, a lot of us in here have just lost our home

and whatever, stuff like that, but, yeah, for you to, like,

still go on with what you want to do

and still make the best out of it, you know, even after such a horrible

thing happened to you, gives, I think,

like, us a bit of inspiration to just get up and do stuff.

It's so funny, cos my...

The way that you feel about me is the way that I feel about you,

and I don't know what it's like to be in a position where I don't have a

home to go back to, and I just want you to know I think you guys have all

been a huge encouragement to me.

All money raised by Sport Relief is spent making a difference to people,

both abroad and here at home.

At this church in Cardiff, for example, they support

a charity with a special musical way of changing lives.

I'm Jan Gould

and I'm the priest in charge at the Church of the Resurrection,

which is in the parish of Glan Ely, in the west of Cardiff.

It's been quite well known in the past for being

a very deprived area,

and there are obviously still many families today who struggle

financially, particularly in the current economic climate, and those

families wouldn't really be able to afford music lessons ordinarily.

Making Music, Changing Lives is a project where we basically

give children the opportunity to learn an orchestral instrument.

When you start you don't have a clue about how to play an instrument

or what you're going to do, and then once they've taught you, cos they're

really good teachers, and once they've, like, helped you,

then it's really easy to play it.

If you've never learned an instrument you can come here

and they'll help you learn an instrument

and it's good cos you can mingle with other people.

Meet other people you didn't know before.

You can learn a lot of music.

You can play whatever instrument you want.

These children are used to performing for each other,

but today, it's another matter.

World-renowned Welsh tenor Rhys Meirion regularly

performs in front of the world's finest orchestras to huge audiences,

but today, for a special one-off concert,

we've asked him to sing

with the Making Music, Changing Lives orchestra.

But can they pull it off?

# Sleep, my child

# And peace attend thee

# All through the night. #

One of the things we've really noticed with the children

since they've been developing their musical skills is that they

have an increased sense of self worth, an increased confidence.

# The night... #

But, you know, how could it be any other way when we've put them

on a stage and they're playing to an audience

and then they get rapturous applause?

What does that do to a child? Money can't buy that.

It's what the music gives them.

# In slumber sleeping... #

For me, music and God are pretty much one and the same thing.

It's all about what's deep in our core.

# All through the night. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

A resounding success.

Now then, you are the leader of this orchestra. No, I'm not. You are.

How old are you? Eight. Eight years old?

This is my third year, yeah.

Wow! So what do you enjoy most about being in this orchestra?

What do you enjoy? Being the leader!

Well, you said you weren't the leader earlier, but you are, aren't you?

Yeah. Yes. And you know, it's a very important role. No, I'm not.

Everybody has to follow you. No, they don't.

They have to follow the conductor. Yes, and you as well. No, not me.

Right. Only the conductor.

I'm sure you'll agree Sport Relief supports some incredible charities.

And the good news is, you can help.

To donate ?5 to Sport Relief right now,

just text "SONG" to 70005,

and Sport Relief will get ?5 and help transform

the life of vulnerable people all over the UK and across the world.

Texts cost ?5 plus your standard network message charge,

and the whole of that ?5 goes to Sport Relief.

You must be over 16

and you must have the bill payer's permission, as well.

If you want any more details, or full terms and conditions,

just go to bbc.co.uk/sportrelief.

Father, we thank you for the gift of sport,

and for the way that it beings communities together.

And help us to reach our full potential.

Challenged by your love, help us care for those around us.

Bringing healing and hope to those in need.

Snowballs have flown, kneelers have tumbled and vital money

has been raised for Sport Relief at the Edgehill Winter Games.

Now all that remains is the medal ceremony.

So, in third place, in the bronze medal position, the Rascals!

Come on, the Rascals.

So, in second place, in silver medal position, the Canton Cruisers!

CHEERING

No shame in winning silver. There's no shame.

The winners of the Edgehill Winter Games are Team Joshua.

CHEERING

Here you go, Aidan. Well done.

Great headband. Tommy.

There you go.

We've enjoyed our great Edgehill Winter Games

and raised plenty of money for Sport Relief as well.

Time for one last hymn, Thine Be The Glory.

HE LAUGHS

Steady on!

Next week, Eamonn celebrates St Patrick's Day in Londonderry,

and meets men and women inspired by Ireland's patron saint.

There will be great hymns from the city's Guildhall

and a performance from Derry singer-songwriter Eilidh Patterson.