BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has raised more than £4 million for Children in Need as part of her 135-mile challenge, with the Prince of Wales offering his congratulations. Cox, who presents Radio 2’s Teatime Show, will end her “Great Northern Marathon Challenge” on Friday, having covered the equivalent of five marathons in five days.
Her challenge culminates in Pudsey, Leeds, carrying a distinctive Pudsey Bear backpack. The journey began in Kielder Forest, travelling through Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. The Prince of Wales recorded a video message, played by Scott Mills on his Radio 2 breakfast show.
William said: “Sara, massive congratulations for what you’re doing. You’re so nearly there, just a little bit further, and I know the people of Pudsey will all come out and welcome you with huge open arms, big hugs, and hopefully, lots of your favourite crumpets. Keep going, you’ve done fantastically well, and the nation’s so proud of you.”
The challenge is the longest tackled by Radio 2 as part of the annual fundraiser. Trevor Nelson revealed the total had topped £3 million on Thursday, before it rose to over £4 million. An emotional Cox called the amount “incredible”, saying: “Everybody just giving a fiver or a tenner did it, that is amazing. Thank you so much. Thanks to everybody who has donated, you’re absolutely awesome.”
Cox highlighted the encouragement she received from women, stating: “We are not women of a certain vintage, we are not women of a certain age, we are women over 50. It’s just the beginning when you get to 50, I’m loving being 50.” She also received a call from her mother and sister in India during Thursday’s longest leg. The BBC’s annual Children in Need telethon airs on Friday at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
