Radio Oxford prepares for Children in Need challenge

Dan Freeman (right) and Sophie Law met Kieran Bird and Pudsey in Oxford

Five members of staff from BBC Radio Oxford are among teams across the country taking on a swimming challenge for Children in Need.

Groups from BBC radio stations across the UK will take part in The Thousand Mile Challenge with each station attempting to cover 24 miles (38.6km).

Two of the Oxford team met gold medal-winning Olympic swimmer Kieran Bird at Ferry Leisure Centre, to get some advice and practise some lengths.

Breakfast Show presenter Sophie Law and Breakfast newsreader Dan Freeman both said they were nervous, but Mr Bird said they were "going to nail it".

Taking place between the 4 and 8 November, The Thousand Mile Challenge will see swimmers taking part in pools, rivers and lakes across the UK.

Ms Law said she was "alright" at swimming despite not being an "exercise bunny".

"I'm normally a pick last kind of girl," she said.

"Swimming is the one thing I think I can do but I'm still nervous."

Mr Freeman, meanwhile, said he was "more of a messer-abouter in the water" and said he found swimming exhausting despite running marathons.

"I am nervous," he said.

Kieran Bird said there were "so many benefits" to swimming

Mr Bird, from Bicester, told the swimmers, who will need to swim about five miles (8km) each, the trick was to "pace yourself".

"Don't go all in at the start," he said.

"It's a long slog."

He said swimming was not just a sport, but also a life skill and a way of making new friends.

"There's so many benefits to swimming," he said.

Mr Bird said Children in Need was "a really special part of British culture".

"I participated in events at school when I was a little lad, and up until now I support the cause," he said.

"I just think it's really important that people get given opportunities and Children in Need makes the world a bit of a better place."

The full team is Mr Freeman, Ms Law, Sophie Rumsby, Jem Westgate and Jordan Brooks.

To find out more, head to bbc.co.uk/swim.