BBC Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox pushed through some significant pain barriers to complete her epic 135-mile ultramarathon challenge for Children in Need.
Having started from Kielder Forest on the Scottish / English border on Monday morning, she reached the finish destination of Pudsey in Yorkshire on Friday afternoon, carrying Children in Need’s Pudsey Bear all the way there on what is the 40th anniversary of the iconic mascot.
She had covered the equivalent of more than five marathons over incredibly hilly terrain and in some appalling weather – it rained from start to finish on the last day.
But she was cheered all the way around and looks on course to raise a record figure for the charity, with the total already approaching £7million when she got to Pudsey.
Amazing support
That will be significantly boosted over the next 24 hours and beyond, with the three-hour live Children in Need show being broadcast from 7pm on BBC One on Friday evening.
But it’s been obvious from the second day onwards just what a gruelling challenge this has been for Cox.
She was frequently in tears given the pain and stress her body was under but her resilience, combined with messages of support – and the money flooding in – have kept her going.
On the final day one of those messages came from Prince William, who said: “You’re so nearly there 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!”
‘Hardest thing I’ve ever done’
On reaching Pudsey shortly after 3.30pm, an emotional Cox said: “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, I can’t believe it.
“It was a really silly idea, such a ridiculous thing to do! I’ve never known pain like it but so many amazing women at the side of the road have just powered me on.
“It was agony at times, I’m not going to lie. I was ready for the hard work and I was ready for the distance but I was not ready for the hills – and the going down hills.
“But so many people came out – thanks to everyone. And all the donations have just been incredible.
“Nothing’s hurting now because I’m so buzzing,” she told fellow DJ Scott Mills on Radio 2 shortly after finishing. “I wish I could bottle this feeling now.”
She follows in the footsteps of Vernon Kay who raised over £6million for BBC Children in Need’s 2023 Appeal when he covered 115 miles from Leicester’s Victoria Park to his hometown Bolton Wanderers’ football stadium, powered only by his own two feet.
Paddy McGuinness meanwhile raised £10.3million with his Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge for BBC Children in Need last year, which saw him cycle 300 miles from Wrexham to Glasgow on a Raleigh Chopper bike.
If you’d like to support Sara with a text or online donation, you can find all the details at bbc.co.uk/sara
