Summary

  • BBC radio presenters across the UK are braving all weathers as they take on the Thousand Mile Challenge for BBC Children in Need

  • Together, they're attempting to walk 1,000 miles in two days – and they're doing it all three-legged

  • They've clocked up hundreds of miles already and we'll be following their efforts throughout the final day

  • You can watch video highlights from Day One of the challenge at the top of this page

  • Wondering why they'd put themselves through it? Head to the BBC Children in Need Stories page on BBC Sounds to learn more

  • If you want to support our Thousand Mile Challenge team's efforts, you can donate via the BBC Children in Need challenge fundraising page

Live Reporting

Edited by Georgina Morris, with Martin Coldrick and Stuart Maisner

  1. In pictures: From windmills to giant horses

    The teams taking part in the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge have had the chance to stop at some impressive landmarks in their areas.

    BBC Hereford and Worcester at the end of Day One at Avoncroft Museum in Bromsgrove

    The BBC Hereford & Worcester team celebrated with supporters at the end of day one at Avoncroft Museum in Bromsgrove

    Three-legged walkers in front of giant sculpture of a horse with Pudsey bear

    The BBC Radio Scotland team visited The Kelpies sculptures in Grangemouth

    Emily Jeffery and Allison Fern at Shoreham Lighthouse. They are both wearing dark clothes and bright yellow Children in Need T-shirts

    Emily Jeffery and Allison Fern from BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey reached Shoreham Lighthouse on their challenge

  2. 'Nuns pulled over to give us hot chocolate'

    BBC Newcastle
    BBC Radio Newcastle

    Matt Bailey, Pudsey and Colin Bergman Plews are waving at the camera as they stand in the dark outside Soldier 1101.

    Matt Bailey, Pudsey and Colin Bergman Plews started the challenge outside Soldier 1101.

    BBC Radio Newcastle presenter Matt Bailey was blessed with a cup of hot chocolate made by nuns on his leg of the Thousand Mile Challenge for BBC Children in Need.

    He said he'd been "blown away" by support from different people and groups along the route after starting the challenge at Seaham in the early hours of the morning.

    Matt was tethered to UK MMA star Katrina Fisher as the pair reached Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light at midday, where they were given a rousing welcome from a brass band.

    "It gave us all the inspiration we needed for day two,” Matt said.

    “From nuns pulling over in cars to offer us hot chocolate and taxi drivers taking detours to cheer us on - it was a truly humbling experience."

  3. 'I'd love my daughter to meet Pudsey'

    BBC Radio Manchester

    One of the highlights for BBC Radio Manchester has been boxer and reality TV star Tommy Fury joining presenter Joe McGrath towards the end of his efforts for the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge.

    Fury said he is being supported by his family, who are "big fans of Children in Need".

    The boxer, who has a two-year-old daughter Bambi with fellow reality star Molly-Mae Hague, said he would love her to meet the charity's famous mascot Pudsey one day, "so we'll see if we can make the duo happen".

    "People in my position and people with big platforms should be doing as much charity work as possible," he added. "If it's charity work I'll be there - any time, any place, anywhere.”

    As he approached the finish line, Fury joked that he was "starting to break a sweat" on the challenge and did not have the energy for a "sprint finish".

    Pudsey Bear holds Tommy Fury's hand, Tommy is wearing a white jacket and black shorts, his leg is tied to Joe McGrath's. Joe has headphones, a purple mic and yellow high vis Children in Need bib. A Manchester United Fred the Red Devil mascot walks beside him.

    Tommy Fury crosses the finish line with BBC Radio Manchester's Joe McGrath

  4. Listen: BBC Children in Need funding makes a difference for Sofia

    Eight-year-old Sofia has a genetic skin condition with birthmarks covering much of her body.

    She attends the charity Caring Matters Now in Merseyside.

    BBC Children in Need funding for the charity allows Sofia and her family to meet others with the same condition and to get support.

  5. 'We've just powered through!'

    Jenny Mullin
    Breakfast presenter, BBC Radio Jersey

    Jenny Mullin stands with her hands in the air, a purple BBC Radio Jersey mic in her left hand. She is wearing a high vis Children in Need bib and standing on a red racing track in front of a finish line which has pictures of Pudsey's face on and says 'Finish!'

    I've done it - I've crossed the finish line on my leg of the Thousand Mile Challenge for BBC Children in Need!

    My legs are sore, but the support along the way, and fun we've had, I have absolutely loved it.

    If you're going to get advice, it's best to get it from a double Olympic medallist, I think!

    The support from Dame Kelly Holmes – on the island to speak at a conference - was excellent.

    I've had some great guests, people who are big parts of our communities.

    We've just powered through and kept going.

  6. Listen: 'The BBC Children in Need choir is so fun'

    Aness, from Derby, was born with a severe type of spina bifida.

    As well as taking up acting and wheelchair tennis, the eight-year-old is now part of what he describes as the "very fun" BBC Children in Need choir.

    His mum, Linda, says the choir is their way of giving back.

    "It’s a nice way to say thank you and a nice way to show everyone where their donations are going - and what a difference it makes," she says.

  7. Team Wiltshire and Pudsey arrive at Stonehenge

    A man and woman pictured in front of Stonehenge. They are stood with somebody dressed up as Pudsey Bear.

    Ben Prater from BBC Radio Wiltshire has made it to Stonehenge after completing his part of the Thousand Mile Challenge for BBC Children in Need.

    He and his counterpart Kelly Morgan started their three-legged walk yesterday and they clocked up 21.2 miles together.

    This morning, Ben walked his final 6.39 miles.

    "I am feeling good. I am feeling positive," he says.

    "I am feeling like I want to go home and have a nice hot bath!

    "I’m also feeling very privileged to be on a World Heritage Status Site."

    Meanwhile, Kelly is due to finish her miles at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire later.

  8. 'My right hip and left knee are aching'

    Katie Tyler
    BBC Radio Berkshire

    Presenter Katie Tyler and journalist Ellie Tutt wearing Pudsey ears and Children in Need bibs waving on a path alongside the Thames

    Presenter Katie Tyler and journalist Ellie Tutt are representing BBC Radio Berkshire in the Thousand Mile Challenge

    What a first day it was in our three-legged challenge for BBC Children in Need!

    Although we had to navigate some very muddy and slippy patches, we were treated to some absolutely stunning views walking from Reading to Shiplake on the Thames Path.

    I was surprised at how quickly we became "in sync" with one another.

    We definitely couldn't have done this without the advice of Gary Shaughnessy from Tadley.

    Alongside his friend Andy, he holds the world record for the longest distance run in a three-legged race in 24 hours.

    He gave us some brilliant top tips ahead of the challenge - like always making sure someone is in charge of counting down before you start walking.

    This definitely stopped us from falling over a couple of times!

    For some of the walk, our only company was a field of sheep.

    But it was so lovely walking past members of the public who gave us a friendly wave or a message of support.

    My right hip and left knee are aching - but I'm really excited to get back to it for day two.

  9. In pictures: From panto dames to the RNLI

    It takes all sorts, they say...and that's certainly true of the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge.

    After all, it's not every day that panto dames and RNLI crews work together to raise money - but that's exactly what's been going on:

    BBC Radio Solent presenter Steve Harris and Dame Daisy on the Thousand Mile Challenge.

    BBC Radio Solent presenter Steve Harris met Dame Daisy on the Thousand Mile Challenge on Tuesday

    Caroline Densley from BBC Radio Devon in a yellow Children in Need tshirt with a RNLI crew member in yellow uniiform cheering next to a monument

    Caroline Densley from BBC Radio Devon met deputy coxon Steve Hocking-Thompson from the RNLI crew in Exmouth

  10. 'This challenge is about more than just walking'

    Phil Goodlad
    Sport Presenter, BBC Radio Scotland

    Two men and two women stood in a line next to somebody in a Pudsey costume. They are pictured outside. They are all smiling.

    Today's three-legged challenge for BBC Children in Need is different to day one yesterday.

    Tuesday was about putting down your steps, about lapping weather presenter Judith Ralston as much as possible - but this morning I’ve got a bit of a stiff hip.

    I think it's going to be a bit less about lapping Judith today and more just trying to get it done.

    I'm looking forward to walking with singer Nathan Evans today, because I feel he became part of our family during the Covid lockdown with that song he sang about "The Wellerman".

    It was constantly on repeat in our house and then it went mainstream, so I'm looking forward to walking with him.

    The weather is very different today. It's meant to be really wet, but we've got waterproofs and umbrellas...and it's Scotland at the start of November, what more can we say?

    The first person I'm walking with today is Derek Russell from Hope for Autism, the charity he helps run with his mum.

    The charity group say they wouldn't be able to do half the stuff they do for young people and young adults across Scotland without help from BBC Children in Need.

    This challenge is more than just walking around the beautiful Kelpies.

  11. 'Three-legged challenge has been amazing'

    Lee Blakeman and Ajmal Hussain wearing Children in Need t shirts and Pudsey ears inside the Bet365 Stadium

    Lee Blakeman and Ajmal Hussain, from BBC Radio Stoke’s breakfast show, finished their three-legged challenge on Tuesday at the Bet365 Stadium, home of Stoke City FC.

    The pair completed their 25-mile stint, tied together at the ankles, in less than 10 hours - having set off from the radio station at about 08:00 GMT on Tuesday.

    They arrived wet and weary, with Lee saying he felt "a little bit emotional" when he saw their names on the stadium’s giant scoreboards.

    "We were just in awe," Ajmal said. "It’s been amazing."

    Ajmal added that there were times when they had felt "a little bit down" during the day, but the support of people honking their car horns, and from those who had joined in by walking alongside them for parts of the route, had helped spur them on.

    Boxer Nathan Heaney was among those who came out to cheer on the pair, along with supporters from the Alice Charity and local primary school children.

    "To everybody who’s tooted, to everybody who’s waved, to everybody who’s donated – thank you, thank you, thank you," Lee said.

    "We’re aching and we’re shattered, but it has been such a great experience."

  13. 'My kids were left with no beds when we were rehomed'

    Lauren Woodhead
    Data journalist

    For some children, challenges like poverty, unpaid care work and domestic abuse are part of daily life.

    We've been talking to organisations funded by BBC Children in Need whose staff work with them and their families to make a difference.

    They include families who find themselves homeless and needing to start over. That was the case for Sarah (not her real name) and her children, who spent two years apart before being rehomed.

    She said: "The happiness of having the children back, all together, is a feeling I will never take for granted again. However, we had to start over."

    A referral to the Family Fund charity's Emergency Essential programme meant the children were given new mattresses and bedding, instead of having to share.

    "Since they've had their own places to sleep, the difference in the kids is just amazing," she added.

    "They're healthier, getting along better – and it's massively helped me too."

  14. What does BBC Children in Need do?

    BBC Children in Need funds vital support for children and young people struggling with mental or physical health, poverty, social inequality, family-related issues and much more.

    Since the first major appeal in 1980, it has raised more than £1bn for children across the UK.

    Annual fundraising campaigns are held every year in the lead-up to the BBC Children in Need Appeal show, which is hosted live on BBC One.

    This year, teams of BBC Radio presenters are embarking on a 1,000-mile three-legged walk to raise money.

  15. 'Charity's support changed our world'

    BBC Children in Need helps hundreds of thousands of children every year, like 11-year-old Elsie from Nottingham.

    She was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called spinal muscular atrophy when she was just 18 months old.

    Elsie was helped by Footprints Conductive Education Centre, a local charity supported by BBC Children in Need, which helps children living with mobility and communication difficulties.

    Members of the team there lead exercise and physio sessions, as well as running fun activities and days out.

    "If I wouldn’t have had any of that, I’d probably not be able to use my arms or my legs as much as I can now," Elsie says.

    Her mum, Charlotte, describes the charity as "a really bright light at the end of a very dark tunnel".

    "They changed our world. They will always have a special place in our heart," she says.

    How 11-year-old Elsie has benefited from Children in Need funding.

  16. 'Three-legged challenge was a lot more tiring than I imagined'

    BBC Radio Wales

    Several people and Pudsey Bear stand in front of stands at a sports stadium

    BBC Radio Wales' Catrin Heledd, Jason Mohammad, Behnaz Akghar and James Williams with Pudsey at the Principality Stadium

    BBC Radio Wales and Final Score presenter Jason Mohammad is no stranger to a BBC Children in Need challenge.

    After an epic swim last year, he was glad to be on dry land on Tuesday, rain showers aside!

    He joined his colleagues Behnaz Akhgar and Catrin Heledd for the first part of their three-legged challenge at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

    Jason said: "I admire anyone who takes on these BBC Children in Need challenges because they're tougher than people think.

    "The team are doing an amazing thing, raising so much money for BBC Children in Need - it's fantastic.

    "Last year I did 72 50-metre lengths of an Olympic pool every day for a week and I'm not a swimmer! I can swim, I learned to swim as a kid, but I'm not a regular swimmer.

    "There are moments where I can't even remember half of it because I just literally got in the pool, got my head down and just got on with it.

    "Taking part in the three-legged walk was a lot more tiring than I imagined. Well done Behnaz and Catrin, you're doing an amazing job!”

  17. Portadown to Poyntzpass – Day One in Northern Ireland

    Connor Phillips
    Presenter, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle

    Somebody dressed in a yellow Pudsey bear suit standing next to a woman and a man. The woman is blonde and is wearing yellow Pudsey ears. The man has dark short hair and is also wearing Pudsey ears. They are both looking at the camera and smiling.PA Media

    BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle presenters Cate Conway and Connor Phillips

    What a day! I’ve been lucky to be involved with BBC Children in Need for a fair few years, but Tuesday was an incredible experience.

    It started with Cate Conway and Vinny Hurrell in Portadown before the sun had even come up.

    They met members of Tullylish Boxing Club and the Armagh Ramblers plus young people from The Community Intercultural programme – as well as some friends from BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle - before I picked up where she left off.

    My starting point was Scarva, with the warmest of welcomes from Scarva Primary School, with everyone meeting, greeting and walking with us just after we set off.

    Then, Neil from Blue Lights strapped on and became a brilliant walking partner.

    Two men walking in front of a large crowd of primary school children. They have their arms around each other and are looking straight ahead.

    Actor Neil Keery walking with Connor Phillips from BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle

    After that, we got to take in the scenery of the Newry towpath and see what an amazing place we live in!

    Little did I know, this was only the start of today’s adventure...

    More miles, smiles and scenery followed - more people and plodding and Pudsey took us through the day to one of the best welcomes I’ve ever had while working for BBC Children in Need.

    The entire town of Poyntzpass came out and greeted us for what was to be the peak of the day!

  18. How are the teams doing so far?

    The Thousand Mile Challenge for BBC Children in Need is well under way.

    The teams have collectively clocked up 575 miles since they set off yesterday and have passed through various spots around the UK.

    BBC Radio Cornwall's James Churchfield and James Dundon were at Lands End...

    A group of people walking on an orange running track. Two of the people are wearing high vis jackets and have one leg tied for a three-legged race. Somebody dressed in a yellow Pudsey bear suit is walking alongside them.

    While the Thousand Mile Challenge has also been taking place at Helix Park in Falkirk...

    Two people stood next to somebody dressed in a yellow Pudsey bear suit. They are both smiling and holding their arms up to celebrate.

    Although there’s been some cold and wet weather in parts of the country, they’re not letting it stop them.

    Some of them - like Jon Fell, BBC Radio Cumbria’s resident chef, and presenter Stephanie Finnon - faced torrential rain in Whitehaven...

    A man and a woman pictured outside in rain ponchos. They are both looking at the camera and smiling.

    But the BBC Radio Humberside team ran under a lovely rainbow by the sea in Bridlington on the East Yorkshire coast...

    Several people walking along a seafront. There is a rainbow in the sky above them

    No matter the weather, they’re all going to keep going until the 1,000-mile mark is reached.

  19. How does the Thousand Mile Challenge work?

    Each of our participating BBC radio stations is attempting a total of 25 miles, with their three-legged challenge starting yesterday and finishing later today.

    The stations have nominated two presenters to cover the miles between them, with different guest walkers keeping them company along the way.

    The presenter and their guest walker are joined at the ankle, so it’s going to take some real teamwork to last the distance.

    And if you’re wondering why anyone would put themselves through this, it’s all for a great cause, of course.

    Money raised through the Thousand Mile Challenge will go to BBC Children in Need, which funds support for children and young people across the UK.

  20. Two days, 42 teams and 1,000 miles

    Thousand Mile Challenge Logo including Pudsey Bear image

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge.

    BBC radio stations across the UK have stepped up to take on this fundraising challenge with a difference.

    Our presenters are attempting to walk a total of 1,000 miles in two days, but here’s the catch – they're doing it three-legged!

    Join us for all the highs, lows and most memorable moments on day two of the challenge as they stride towards the finish line.