BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has completed a gruelling five-marathon challenge, raising more than £9.5 million for Children in Need. The 50-year-old ran 135 miles over five days, carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack from Kielder Forest in Northumberland to Pudsey, West Yorkshire.
Cox crossed the finish line at around 3.30pm on Friday, where she was greeted by former Spice Girl Melanie C. Reflecting on the ordeal, she said: “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it … hello Yorkshire! I’m an honorary Yorkshirewoman now.”
The challenge, the longest ever tackled by Radio 2 for the annual fundraiser, saw Cox travel through Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. She received messages of support from the Prince of Wales, who said: “Sara, massive congratulations … the nation’s so proud of you.”
By Friday evening, Cox had raised £9,523,028. She described the experience as a “rollercoaster” and said she was an “absolute wreck” during the appeal show. The BBC’s annual Children in Need telethon, hosted by Paddy McGuinness and others, aired from 7pm on Friday, with the charity raising a total of £45,507,536 so far this year.
