Vicky Pattison has shared an update from her 'Tyne to Thames' challenge, after an "emotional" first day. The reality TV star set off from her hometown of Newcastle on Monday morning, as she began the mammoth 250-mile journey.
The former Queen of the Jungle is running, cycling, and kayaking the extreme distance to raise money for Global's Make Some Noise. Ahead of the beginning of the challenge, she was "giving the challenge a healthy amount of respect", and admitted that she was "daunted" by the prospect.
First Day Progress
She reached Richmond by the end of Monday, and is expecting to arrive at the Heart studios in London's Leicester Square on Friday, October 9. Vicky, who presents Heart on Saturdays, was cheered up by celebrity pals Pete Wicks and fellow North East native Sara Davies, and she caught up with fellow DJ Devin Griffin last night live on air.
She said: "It has been emotional, but now I've got cheese and onion crisps, Irn-Bru and a Boost, I'm so happy I could cry! I honestly feel like a massive scrap mate, I feel so old! It was so nice when I crossed the finish line, I nipped for a wee, picked up my goodies, and I'm so happy now."
Second Leg Underway
"You don't want to know how much I'm aching right now, and do you know what, I want to keep it PG, so it is my neck! Honestly, being crunched over your handlebars for about 8 hours, time has lost all meaning, for that long, I'm completely curved now."
Today, Vicky will be setting off for the second leg of her challenge, as she heads from Richmond to York. She was joined during her opening running section by Doug Laidlaw, the Regional Programmes Manager at the North East Young Dads and Lads project, one of the organisations that the charity supports.
Supporting Local Charities
Based in Gateshead, the project supports young dads, aged under 25, across the region, helping over 250 young men a year play an active and meaningful role in the lives of their children. Global's Make Some Noise supports 100 small charities like this one across the year.
Ahead of the challenge, Vicky explained how important it is to support local charities, saying: "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 to be able to take opportunities like this. I want to continue to do these things, as I know how much of a difference we can make."
"Meeting people like Doug, 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 heart-breaking that we need places like this in 2026, so I will always do my best to support them."
"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."
Follow Vicky's 'Tyne to Thames' challenge on @Globals_Make_Some_Noise, Heart's socials, on heart.co.uk and support Vicky on her challenge and donate to Global's Make Some Noise here.
