'Magic' moment as radio team complete charity swim

Lee Blakeman, Aj Hussain and Jodie Looker finished the challenge on Friday

A team at BBC Radio Stoke have spoken of the “magic” moment they completed their part of The Thousand Mile Challenge for Children in Need.

Lee Blakeman, Aj Hussain and Jodie Looker, from the station's breakfast show, swam the last lengths of their exhausting charity mission at Kidsgrove Leisure Centre in Staffordshire on Friday.

The trio swam 24 miles, more than 1,400 lengths, throughout the week as BBC radio stations across the country took part to raise money for the charity.

After clambering out of the pool, Blakeman said it felt “forever” since the trio began their challenge on Monday.

“It’s just come around like that. It’s magic, everybody who’s texted, everybody who’s donated – that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

“It’s about raising money for a really good cause and it goes to helping so many people around here.”

Aj Hussain, Jodie Looker and Lee Blakeman have swum 24 miles between them

Meanwhile, Looker said she felt a bit “breathy” after the final stint but was “so chuffed” they had succeeded.

“It was a real team effort. Thanks to everybody for all the support,” she said.

“I’m quite emotional and I’m absolutely shattered.”

And Hussain said he could go for 100 more lengths, although he admitted to accidentally swallowing pool water during the last metres.

“My end was just coughing and spluttering everywhere, so very elegant,” he said.

'Epic effort'

The three have been swimming at leisure centres across the Staffordshire and south Cheshire area to hit 24 miles – the equivalent of the distance between Crewe and Stone.

On Monday, Blakeman was surprised by Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, as his stint got under way in Uttoxeter, where the tree-time gold medallist’s swimming journey began.

Breakfast show producer Matt Lee spoke of his emotion after the team completed their challenge.

“It’s an absolutely epic effort and I’m so proud of them,” he said.

Anyone who wants to donate can do so by going to the Children in Need website.