By Lucy Caulket-
The Prince of Wales has congratulated BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox for her Children In Need challenge to cover 135 miles in five days, which has raised more than £4 million.
Cox, who presents Radio 2’s Teatime Show on weekdays, will end her Great Northern Marathon Challenge on Friday, covering the equivalent of five marathons in five days.
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Calling the amount “incredible”, Cox said: “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.”
Carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack, Cox will complete her journey in Pudsey, Leeds, having started in Kielder Forest and travelled through Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
William recorded a video message, which was played by Scott Mills on his Radio 2 breakfast show.
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He 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.”
Sara Cox was in tears while listening to her royal encouragement (BBC/PA)
The challenge is the longest tackled by Radio 2 as part of the annual fundraiser.
Fellow Radio 2 presenter Trevor Nelson revealed to Cox on Thursday the total raised had topped £3 million.
She said she had been encouraged by support from lots of women during her challenge.
“We are not women of a certain vintage, we are not women of a certain age, we are women over 50,” she said. “It’s just the beginning when you get to 50, I’m loving being 50.”
She also revealed she had received a call from her mother and sister in India as she passed a telephone box during Thursday’s longest leg from Richmond to Ripley
For the 2025 BBC Children in Need campaign, Sara Cox undertook the “Great Northern Marathon Challenge,” a grueling physical feat covering 135 miles on foot across five days. Her goal was to deliver a special Pudsey Bear from the Scottish borders to the town of Pudsey in Leeds, raising over £5 million for the charity.
The annual Children in Need appeal encourages people across the UK to participate in various fundraising activities to support projects that help disadvantaged children and young people. For 2025, the main public fundraising initiative is the “Challenge Yourself to 25,” where individuals are sponsored to complete a task related to the number 25 (e.g., walk 25km, bake 25 items).
BBC personalities often take on significant, high-profile challenges as well
Other challenges include a “Thousand Mile Challenge” completed by local BBC radio teams, and a 300-mile cycle by Paddy McGuinness.
Sara Cox, a BBC Radio 2 presenter, was the central figure for the station’s major fundraising event in 2025. Her role involved: covering 135 miles over five consecutive days (Monday, November 10 to Friday, November 14). The distance is equivalent to five marathons.
Raising millions of pounds through listener and public donations. The total surpassed £5 million by the final day.
Cox battled pain and exhaustion during the challenge but was motivated by the cause and the support she received from the public, her family, and even a surprise message from the Prince of Wales. The journey was documented and featured live on BBC Radio 2 and during the main Children in Need Appeal Show on BBC One.
The BBC’s annual Children In Need telethon starts on BBC iPlayer and BBC One at 7pm on Friday.The evening, hosted by Paddy McGuinness, Big Zuu, Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay and Lenny Rush, will see performances from the likes of McFly singer Tom Fletcher and girl band Remember Monday, alongside sketches from BBC favourites including The Apprentice, EastEnders and Gladiators.
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