BBC Star Begins 135-Mile Trek Through County Durham for Children in Need
BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has begun a 135-mile journey across northern England to raise funds for Children in Need. Her challenge, called the Great Northern Marathon Challenge, involves completing five marathons in five days across four counties.
Cox will travel on foot through the landscapes of County Durham, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, and West Yorkshire. The journey begins today, November 10, in Kielder Forest and concludes in Pudsey, Leeds, on November 14. Throughout the trek, she will carry a Pudsey Bear backpack — the long-standing symbol of BBC Children in Need.
“When they picked me to get Pudsey to Pudsey, I was honoured and horrified in equal measure. We’re talking 135 miles of hills, moors and blisters – but I am ready for the challenge, and I will absolutely be giving it everything I’ve got.”
“I know the brilliant Radio 2 listeners will be with me every step of the way, and their encouragement and support will shove me up every incline and pull me through my toughest moments.”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Pudsey Bear as the mascot of Children in Need, making Cox’s journey a fitting tribute to the campaign’s enduring mission to support children and young people across the UK.
Author’s Summary
Sara Cox begins a 135-mile charity trek through northern England to celebrate 40 years of Pudsey Bear and raise vital funds for BBC Children in Need.