'Taking part to change someone else's life' — fundraiser Ian Wren is Holding Out For A Hero
An Angus fundraiser is set to appear on a prime time television quiz show.
Ian Wren.
- By Graeme Bletcher
- Published in the Courier : 15.09.11
- Published online : 17.09.11 @ 01.12pm
Former soldier Ian Wren (55) from Arbroath was selected to represent charity HorseBack UK on ITV's Holding Out For A Hero.
Hosted by Welsh presenter Gethin Jones, it features contestants playing to win potentially life-changing sums for causes or people.
Whatever money they win is handed over to their hero — a nominated deserving person with an extraordinary life story, who is unaware someone has decided to play for them.
Ian said he had been sworn to secrecy regarding the identity of his hero and was unable to reveal many further details prior to his episode airing on October 9 on ITV regions and then October 11 on STV.
"It is supposed to be one of ITV's big flagship shows and it is all about people like me trying to raise money for their charities," Ian said.
"We recorded two months ago and it is essentially a quiz format where the minimum you can really win is £3,000."
'Surreal'
He added: "To be honest it was very scary but I think I am more scared now that I know it is going out and people will see it.
"It wasn't too bad when we were recording in the studio and once it started it was a bit surreal with the audience there.
"Gethin Jones was really friendly and he came into the green room before the show to wish us all good luck and told us not to worry about being on camera."
Scottish Hydro Electric worker Ian served in the gunners section of the British Army and in the Territorial Army before returning to civilian life.
He explained that in an emotional finale to each show the winner gets to hand over a cheque to their hero for the amount they have won.
Each night three participants answer a series of questions in a bid to win thousands of pounds, with each answer capable of dramatically changing the course of the game.
The new series is filmed by 12 Yard Productions, executive produced by Andy Culpin, Michael Mannes and Matt Walton and series produced by Andrew Musson.
'Change someone else's life'
Mr Culpin, managing director of 12 Yard said: "Holding Out For A Hero takes the drama, excitement and tense nature of the very best quiz shows and turns it on its head.
"Viewers will see contestants taking part to change someone else's life rather than their own."
In June this year, Ian organised a 140-mile bike ride around Arbroath to raise funds for HorseBack UK and Cancer Research, raising £3,500.
The fundraisers completed a 14-mile course 10 times in 12 hours.
Last year the group organised a 160-mile bike ride to Edinburgh to raise funds.
HorseBack UK helps those serving, or those who have served, in the UK armed forces.
Many of the charity's clients have suffered physical injury or acute stress.
Combining western horsemanship, rural skills and adventure training, the organisation endeavours to integrate serving personnel and veterans into the rural community.
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