Vernon Kay was moved to tears on BBC Radio 2 after hearing the story of Nicola Harteveld, whose charity is supported by Children in Need, during an update on Owain Wyn Evans' 4 Nations Cycle Challenge.
The challenge involves a 400-mile bike ride across Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and Wales to raise funds for Children in Need. While encouraging listeners to donate, Vernon recalled his own experiences during his 2023 Children in Need Ultra Ultramarathon Challenge.
Emotional appeal for donations
Vernon told listeners: "Unfortunately, Children in Need, they're only able to help fund one in six organisations who ask for help." He added: "And that's why the donations are really, really important, and it's only with your support that we can continue to help lighten the load for hundreds of thousands of children when they need it the most, and your donation..."
His voice faltered as he confessed: "I'm going now," before explaining how Children in Need supports the Megan's Starr Foundation, founded by Nicola.
After composing himself, Vernon revealed: "The reason why I'm tearing up is because I've seen it first-hand. So I've experienced the challenge, I've experienced what people go through, and I've experienced the way that it helps."
Megan's Starr Foundation story
He described the foundation: "Megan's Starr Foundation in Milford Haven in Wales helps young people with their mental health and wellbeing through counselling, workshops and their community coffee house. Megan's Starr was started by Nicola in memory of her daughter."
A recording then featured Nicola, who established the charity in 2017 after the death of her 14-year-old daughter, Megan, who took her own life following relentless verbal and online cyberbullying.
The account left Vernon struggling to speak, as he said tearfully: "Oh God... as a parent you can't imagine, you can't imagine."
Listener's message moves presenter
Earlier in Wednesday's broadcast, Vernon was also moved by a voice note from Tracy from Doncaster, who shared her childhood trauma and support for Owain's mission. Tracy said: "I'm cracking on for 60 now, but as a child I went through a lot of trauma from being a very young age up until my late teens, and listening to your radio station, and just listening to Owain doing this challenge, he's such an inspiration."
She added: "I wish that something like this had been around when I [was] younger and I'm so proud of him. He's such a lovely guy and all the kids that are out there that will get help from him doing something like this, he should be so proud of himself."
After the message, Vernon joked that his assistant producer Janine Maya-Smith had been "cutting onions" in the studio, as everyone was visibly moved. He replied: "Thank you Tracy, really appreciate that. Janine, I think it's really rude of you to cut onions whilst Tracy was on there."
He continued: "I mean look at us, all four of us, that plucked at the heartstrings. So, obviously, Tracy has been through it and, back in the day, there was no one there to support her."
Vernon concluded: "But, thankfully, Children in Need is around now, and as we've just heard first-hand from Tracy, she would have absolutely benefited from Children in Need helping her as a young person, and helping her progress through life and, obviously, that voice note was very emotional for Tracy. So, Tracy, we really appreciate you getting in touch."
For emotional support, the Samaritans 24-hour helpline can be called on 116 123, or people can email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person, or go to the Samaritans website.
