BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has confessed that 'everything is hurting' after pushing through the third day of her formidable 135-mile charity trek for BBC Children In Need. The broadcaster is undertaking the station's most ambitious challenge to date, a five-day expedition across the UK, and has already secured a staggering sum for the cause.
The Gruelling Midpoint Struggle
Speaking live on air to co-host Paddy McGuinness, Sara gave a candid account of her physical state. 'It's probably been one of the toughest mornings of my life if I'm honest,' she revealed, 'just everything's hurting.' Despite a welcome bit of blue sky, the physical toll was immense. She detailed the specific aches, stating, 'My calves are so tight, my knees are killing me and I just feel like my left leg isn't doing what I'm asking it to do.' With characteristic humour, she added, 'I'm used to Wednesday being a hump day but this is ridiculous, it's hump after hump after hump to get over today.'
An Astonishing Fundraising Triumph
The pain, however, is being met with an overwhelming wave of public generosity. During her broadcast, Paddy McGuinness delivered the electrifying news that her efforts had so far raised an incredible £1,411,021. A visibly moved Sara responded, 'Oh wow... that is amazing. Thank you so much everyone, that's incredible. That is mind blowing... Thanks Radio 2 listeners - best in the world.' The challenge, which began on Monday, has seen donations flood in daily, with a remarkable £439,225 raised in just one day on Tuesday.
Messages of Support and Solidarity
Sara's monumental effort has not gone unnoticed, drawing support from fellow celebrities and sports personalities. Fellow Bolton native, comedian Peter Kay, sent a heartfelt and humorous audio message to spur her on. 'This what you are doing is a massive challenge. Huge,' he said, before joking about Pudsey Bear's iconic eye patch. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill also weighed in, praising Sara's mental fortitude. 'A lot of it is physical. But actually the mental side is the most important side,' the Olympian stated, acknowledging the immense psychological strength required for such a feat. Along the route, Sara has been cheered on by locals, a bagpiper, and even a group of alpacas in Northumberland, providing much-needed morale boosts.
With two days still remaining in her 135-mile journey, Sara Cox continues to dig deep, driven by the phenomenal support and the knowledge that every step is making a life-changing difference for children across the UK.
