THE big-hearted people of the UK may well hear a Bury accent when they ring up to pledge money for Sport Relief today.

There’s a good chance that their calls will be picked up by volunteers at O2 in Dumers Lane who will be returning to work at night to operate one of the UK’s pledge centres.

Around 150 people will be working from 7pm until after midnight to encourage the public to part with their cash for good causes Joining them will be Zoe Robinson, from Radcliffe, who won gold at the 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympics with the GB boccia team.

Zoe, who has set her sights on London’s Paralympic Games, will spend part of the evening encouraging call takers and perhaps even surprising a few callers herself.

Sport Relief is a spin-off from Comic Relief, but backed by major UK companies. The aim is to get everyone taking part in sporting activities to raise money for causes in the UK and abroad. Celebrities up and down the country are also doing their bit to raise money.

Last year, volunteers did the same for Comic Relief. They answered 3,300 calls and took £106,721 in pledges.

As well as taking calls, O2 people will be getting into the Sport Relief spirit by holding a whole day of activities with a sports themed fancy dress.

Saj Umarji, head of O2 in Bury, said it will be a day and night of fun. “It will be a fantastic atmosphere with football competitions, Wii Sports and a pool competition. We are also doing our own fundraising with nail art, threading and raffles,” he added.

Local stand-up comic and presenter Justin Moorhouse is joining staff on the evening to keep up the fun and frivolity.

He will also be handing out sweets and treats to help maintain energy levels.