Owain Wyn Evans got emotional during the third day of his Children in Need challenge, shedding tears after receiving a £250,000 donation from Radio 2 listeners Jane and Kev. The Welsh presenter is cycling 400 miles across Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and Wales, raising more than £850,000 for the charity.
Challenge takes an emotional toll
The five-day challenge began on Monday and is due to finish in central Cardiff on Friday. Owain has faced numerous obstacles, including a knee injury on the first day and later falling off his bike, hitting his shoulder against the kerb.
Despite these setbacks, the Radio 2 presenter is determined to continue. On Wednesday, he struggled to hold back tears as he reflected on why he is undertaking the challenge. He told Vernon Kay: "I don't know if you were like this when you were younger Vern, but for years as men we have that thing of: 'Boys don't cry, don't show emotion', all of that stuff. A lot of us who grew up at a certain time, maybe, were taught that. I've struggled with letting my emotions out immediately, having to reverse into saying that everything's fine."
Jane and Kev's donation provided a poignant moment for Owain: "I am tired, I'm emotional, and all of this stuff. But this is why we're doing it."
Message from former teacher
There was another emotional moment on Vernon's show when a letter from one of Owain's old primary school teachers was read out. Mrs Adams recalled how Owain recognised her at a charity event more than 35 years after she taught him. "Owain was a guest speaker and he recognised me immediately," she said. "He rushed over, gave me a hug during his speech, and announced that I was his favourite teacher of all time. A school report I'm certainly happy to keep. Good luck Owain, I am so proud of you."
Mrs Adams also reflected on reconnecting with Owain after fracturing her hip and spending time in hospital, where she received a message from him checking in on her wellbeing. She wrote: "Although he's famous, he's still that same thoughtful, caring little boy."
Owain's response
In response, an emotional Owain said Mrs Adams was probably his "first ally". He explained: "I just want to say to Mrs Adams – when I was in reception, I remember: I loved the Care Bears, right? And mum and dad, I think I said I wanted a Care Bears lunchbox. It was pink, and it had Care Bears on it. And I remember... taking it into school and some of the kids were laughing at this lunch box. It was the first feeling of shame I remember ever having, because of my little pink lunch box."
"I would hide it behind a doll's house, and I remember Kath Adams bringing it out, and telling the kids that this was all right. She was probably my first ally. I never realised at the time. I love you Kath Adams – you're amazing."
Injury update
Owain is making his way to Welshpool, where he is due to finish the third day of the challenge. Providing an update on how he's feeling, Owain said he is on the "old paracetamols" to help him get through the day. He said: "Feet are okay, knee is a little bit better, because I'm on the old paracetamols right now. But it felt like there's sandpaper behind my kneecap – if you can imagine that. [I was] overcompensating yesterday by working the other leg harder to try and alleviate that means that that knee has started aching a bit more."
"But today it's the emotional toll that's been the thing for me. Just hearing everything – we've had the messages come in, I've been listening to every one of them... oh my gosh."
