BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has announced her return to the airwaves just days after completing a gruelling 135-mile charity run for Children in Need, which raised a staggering over £10 million.
An Emotional and Gruelling Challenge
The 50-year-old broadcaster could not hold back her emotions after finishing the Great Northern Marathon challenge on Friday, November 14. Her incredible feat saw her cover the equivalent of five marathons over five consecutive days.
Starting in Kielder Forest, her route took her through the counties of Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire. Her journey concluded in Pudsey, Leeds, a fitting finish line for the charity appeal.
The final day of her run was made even more difficult as she had to battle the harsh conditions of Storm Claudia, pushing through physical pain and fatigue to reach her goal.
A Stunning Fundraising Total Revealed
Appearing on BBC Breakfast on Monday, November 17, hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent delivered the amazing news that Sara's efforts had helped raise more than £10 million for Children in Need.
In a heartfelt moment on the show, Sara expressed her astonishment and gratitude. “It’s absolutely astonishing,” she said. “Our £10m is the fivers and tenners from Radio 2 listeners and Children in Need supporters, who have each individually given their hard-earned cash. It means the absolute world. I can’t believe it, it’s going to make a huge difference to so many kids, so thank you for every penny.”
She opened up about the powerful emotions she felt at the finish line, revealing that hearing her mother's voice and seeing her brother and best friends gave her the final push to complete the challenge.
Rest and a Speedy Return to Radio
While the BBC Breakfast hosts encouraged a “duvet week” for the exhausted presenter, Sara confirmed she would be taking only a short break.
She announced that she plans to be “back on air Wednesday”, explaining her desire to reconnect with her Radio 2 listeners. She did, however, concede that her usual standing broadcast would be swapped for a seated one, at least for her first show back.
Following her well-deserved rest, listeners can expect to hear Sara Cox back on BBC Radio 2, having turned immense personal effort into an extraordinary sum that will support countless children across the UK.
