Vicky Pattison has shared her thoughts on a 'daunting' 250-mile challenge, as well as her excitement ahead of the 'hometown support' she will receive in Newcastle. In aid of a very worthy cause, the former Queen of the Jungle will be pushed to her physical limits by the 'Tyne to Thames' challenge.
Starting on Monday, October 5, the reality TV star will be running, cycling, and kayaking, from her home city to the Heart studios in Leicester Square, as she travels 400km, and is expected to arrive at her destination on Friday, October 9.
Preparations and expectations
The Geordie Shore favourite, who presents Heart on Saturday afternoons, is travelling back up to the North East when she finishes her show, and is looking forward to a relaxing night with her sister, before the hard work begins at the start of the week.
On her preparations for the event, she said: "I have slowed everything down, as I feel it's not going to matter now whether I do another run or cycle. The training has been very intense, it has been a busy couple of weeks, not just maintaining my general fitness but getting used to it all."
"I am definitely a bit daunted by the prospect of the challenge, as it is hugely out of my comfort zone. When I do get exhausted though, I will be thinking about all of the amazing work that Global's Make Some Noise does, and the charities that will benefit, and that will keep me going."
Motivation and hometown pride
Vicky is of course no stranger to testing challenges like this one, after she took on the Comic Relief Arctic Challenge in 2024, and she has completed several other fundraising events. However, she has described this one as "maybe my hardest ever", and is keen to stress that she fully anticipates how difficult it will be.
She continued: "I know that I am really fortunate with my life, that isn't the reality for everyone, and I am lucky to have a platform and a voice to be able to take opportunities like this. I want to continue to do these things, as I know how much of a difference the money we raise can make to people's lives."
"Meeting people like Doug Laidlaw, and seeing the incredible work that charities like the North East Young Dads and Lads project do, it makes it all worth it. It is heartbreaking that we need places like this in 2026, so I will always do my best to support them."
Vicky then shared just how much she is looking forward to coming back home, also saying: "The North East will always be my home, and I'm really proud to be from the region. Working with charities from where I am makes me still feel connected to the place, and I will always be tethered to the North East."
"I am giving the challenge a healthy amount of respect, I have had so much support from my trainers, and I have more painkillers and padded cycling shorts than I know what to do with. It's not going to be easy, but that's the only way that it would be worthy of people's donations.
"I can't wait to be back up north, seeing my sister, and I always cry when I am on the train and see the bridges, and we do them and Greggs really well. Seriously though, I'm so proud of the North East, and seeing as many people as possible giving me that hometown support when I start will benefit me more than you know."
Charity support and how to help
Doug Laidlaw is the Regional Programmes Manager at the North East Young Dads and Lads project, which supports young dads, aged under 25, across the region. The charity helps over 250 young men a year play an active and meaningful role in the lives of their children.
He added: "We have been working with Global for a while, and meeting Vicky and seeing how much she wanted to support us was great. This funding will help us have someone who can support neurodivergent dads, and help them with their routines during a huge change in their lives.
"We support more men year on year, and offer help through e-learning, support groups, and training, in all aspects of their lives. We are very grateful for what Vicky is doing, I'm going to be there on Monday, running the first part of the challenge with her."
You can support Vicky on her challenge, and donate to Global's Make Some Noise, which also has the information on how to donate over the phone. To follow the challenge as it happens, keep an eye on the Heart website.
