Sara Cox begins 135-mile Children in Need challenge

Sara Cox Starts 135-Mile Children in Need Challenge

BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox began her Great Northern Marathon Challenge this morning at Kielder Forest, kicking off the station’s longest-ever BBC Children in Need event.

Over five days, Sara will travel 135 miles on foot, carrying Pudsey Bear from Northumberland to Pudsey in Leeds. She will walk and jog through Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire without any vehicular support.

Community Support and Starting Ceremony

Locals gathered early to cheer her on
Stuart Todd from the Morpeth Pipe Band played the bagpipes
Andrea Foote from Morpeth Riding for the Disabled sounded the start horn
A group of alpacas was also present to see her off

"I feel more relaxed than I have been for weeks, but my toes are already soggy from heavy drizzle," Sara said live on BBC Breakfast at the start line.

Speaking to Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Sara added, "There are loads of people here. Everyone has got their Pudsey ears on. It’s absolutely gorgeous actually. And a man with bagpipes!"

This challenge symbolically carries Pudsey from the border to the heart of the town that inspired his name, supporting the BBC Children in Need charity.

Listeners can track Sara’s progress live on the official BBC website.

Author's summary: Sara Cox embarks on a five-day, 135-mile charity marathon carrying Pudsey Bear, supported by local communities, to raise funds for BBC Children in Need.

RadioToday — 2025-11-10

Sara Cox Starts 135-Mile Children in Need Challenge

Community Support and Starting Ceremony

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