Sara Cox begins 135-mile Children in Need challenge

Sara Cox Begins 135-Mile Children in Need Challenge

Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has started her Great Northern Marathon Challenge, a 135-mile journey on foot from Kielder Forest to Pudsey in Leeds, carrying Pudsey Bear in support of BBC Children in Need.

Her challenge is the longest-ever undertaken by Radio 2 for the charity and will take place over five days. Sara will travel through Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire, walking and jogging without any vehicle assistance.

Community Support at the Start

Local residents gathered early to cheer Sara as she set off. Stuart Todd from Morpeth Pipe Band played bagpipes, and Andrea Foote from Morpeth Riding for the Disabled sounded the start horn. Even a group of alpacas appeared to see her off.

Speaking live on BBC Breakfast at the start, Sara said, “I feel more relaxed than I have been for weeks,” but also joked, “my toes are already soggy” from the drizzle.

Symbolic Journey

The challenge symbolically delivers Pudsey Bear from the border to the heart of his namesake town, Pudsey, raising funds and awareness for BBC Children in Need.

Sara told Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show: “There are loads of people here. Everyone has got their Pudsey ears on. It’s absolutely gorgeous actually. And a man with bagpipes!”

Listeners can track her progress live on the BBC website.

Author's summary: Sara Cox embarks on a heartfelt 135-mile charity walk carrying Pudsey Bear, supported by community spirit, to raise funds for BBC Children in Need.

RadioToday — 2025-11-10