Summary

  • BBC radio presenters across the UK braved all weathers as they took on the Thousand Mile Challenge for BBC Children in Need

  • Together, they've walked 1,000 miles in two days – and they did it all three-legged

  • They walked in all different locations - from Stonehenge to Cardiff's Principality Stadium and across windmills, giant horse sculptures and lighthouses - we've been following their efforts throughout the final day

  • You can also watch video highlights from the challenge - including their finish line celebrations, Pudsey taking a cable car and Tommy Fury joining our Manchester challenge crew

  • 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 Kathryn Hamlett, with Steve Mellen and Lisa Young

  1. 'My words are turning to soup’

    Dotty McLeod
    BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

    BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter Dotty McLeod and producer Andy Lake with thumbs up wearing Children in Need Tshirts in the square at Trinity College

    We have just crossed the finish line. Hallelujah!

    We're in the quad at Trinity College in Cambridge, which is of course the location for the famous scene in Chariots of Fire, and there goes the striking of the famous clock – as if by magic.

    It has been an amazing couple of days. It's been pretty tiring, but also lots of fun.

    I’ve met fabulous guests around Cambridgeshire and their help and willingness to be tethered to more or less a total stranger for up to an hour has been very, very impressive.

    My feet are less sore than I thought they would be but my legs are creaking somewhat.

    I feel like all of my words - and my thoughts - are kind of turning to soup.

  2. We do like to freeze beside the seaside

    Emily Jeffery and Allison Ferns with Pudsey ears eating ice cream cones looking cold

    The joint team from BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey are having a splendid time by the seaside despite the weather on day two of their BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge.

    Allison Ferns and Emily Jeffery are making their way from Shoreham-on-Sea to their final destination at Brighton Palace Pier.

    Allison Ferns and Emily Jeffery outside a mulit-coloured beach hut by the seaside

    Yesterday, they walked around Cranleigh and RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey.

    Weekend breakfast presenter Allison said: "I've woken up today and every bit of me aches - and it’s raining."

  3. 'There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing'

    Two women pictured outside. The one on the left is wearing a black beanie and a red puffer coat. She has her arm around the other woman and is bent down slightly and smiling. The woman next to her has dark hair, glasses and is wearing a yellow high vis vest. She is standing up straight with her mouth open. Both women are looking at the camera.

    BBC Radio Scotland’s Judith Ralston and comedian Karen Dunbar teamed up earlier to walk around The Helix in Grangemouth and rack up more miles for the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge.

    Dunbar says she’s been involved with BBC Children in Need for 35 years now.

    “When I was asked to take part in the three-legged challenge here at the Kelpies it felt right as my mum’s family are from Grangemouth, which has a special place in my heart and is of course just along the road from here," she said.

    “I’ve done a lot of mental preparation for this challenge, I’ve done a lot of visualisation. I’ve thought about myself lying in a bath after this with a big bar of chocolate."

    She added: “When it comes to the conditions, it’s like Billy Connolly says - 'there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!'."

  4. 'I forgot how hilly Leeds and Bradford are'

    Colson Smith
    Presenter, BBC Yorkshire

    Colson Smith with members of the BBC Radio Leeds Bantam of the Opera choir gathered together in a courtyard who are wearing pink branded T-shirts and some of them are wearing Pudsey ears.

    When I signed up for this challenge, I thought it was going to be a doddle - but I’d forgotten how hilly it is around Bradford and Leeds.

    The whole thing has been a blast, with folk coming to see us and donating money, as well as going past schools with the kids cheering us along.

    Everyone’s support has really helped motivate us to keep going.

    It’s been a great challenge, even if people were shouting "Craigey" at me most of the way due to my 14 years on Coronation Street!

    Walking around Valley Parade with Bradford City football legend Ian Ormondroyd was a particular highlight.

    Finishing at Darley Street Market with the Bantam of The Opera choir serenading us with their brilliant version of Take Me Home, Midland Road was the perfect ending to day one.

    I just wish BBC Radio Leeds daytime presenter Gayle Lofthouse, who was doing the other half of the challenge, hadn’t beaten me across the line!

  5. Listen: A charity aimed at fighting mothers' isolation

    When Catherine Bartlem became a mum, she found that the confidence she had at work was absent as a parent.

    Believing this to be a common experience, she reached out to other mothers.

    After 15 years, that small group of parents around Coventry has grown into a flourishing charity aimed at fighting the isolation a lot of mothers feel, giving them a community to turn to in times of need.

    BBC Children in Need funding has helped Coffee Tots expand and offer even more to families, giving them much needed support:

  6. How to donate

    BBC Thousand Mile Challenge logo

    To donate online to BBC Children in Need in support of the efforts of teams taking part in the Thousand Mile Challenge attempt, click this link.

    The above link takes you to an external donation page for BBC Children in Need. Its use is subject to their Terms of Use & Privacy Notice.

    For full terms and information on the registered charity, go to www.bbc.co.uk/walk

  7. Listen: 'We couldn't do this without BBC Children in Need'

    BBC Newcastle
    BBC Radio Newcastle

    Natalie Kirk spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle's Matt Bailey about the charity she set up after she lost her older brother Billie to suicide.

    "Nobody knew what to say to us," she said, so she started Billie's Lifeline which supports young people in times of trauma and bereavement.

    Natalie said the funding pays for a dedicated counsellor one day a week who has helped lots of children when they most need it.

    "We couldn't do this without the BBC Children in Need money, so thank you."

    The BBC Action Line is available to give advice and support to people who are struggling with issues such as bereavement.

    Natalie Kirk tells Matt Bailey about the charity 'Billie's Lifeline'.

  8. Number of children needing counselling in Wales rises

    Rowenna Hoskin
    BBC Wales

    In Wales, children and young people can access counselling for free through their local council.

    A recent report by the Welsh government showed that, in 2023-24, 13,936 children or young people received counselling services - up by 13% from the previous year.

    The most common reasons given for needing counselling were anxiety or family problems, with a high proportion of the people using the services being referred by their schools.

    Powys in mid Wales had the highest rate of children accessing counselling, and Newport in south Wales had the lowest.

    The report also showed that more girls were helped than boys.

    A graph showing children having counselling in various parts of Wales

  9. Fighting talk in London during Thousand Mile Challenge

    BBC Radio London

    Shay Kaur Grewal and Xavi Bird are tethered together at the ankle as they stand on the pavement of Tower Bridge. They are both wearing headphones and Xavi is holding a microphone. There are supporters in the background, one of which is wearing Pudsey ears.

    Things are heating up in London as two BBC radio presenters race each other to complete the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge.

    BBC Radio London's Shay Kaur Grewal beat Xavi Bird yesterday - and now Xavi's promised he's "going to beat Shay today".

    Day two didn't start smoothly for Shay as she faced delays on the Elizabeth Line on her way to the starting point - but she said she is undeterred.

    "I’m glad I got here, and that’s not going to stop me winning and beating Xavi like I did yesterday," she said.

    "The sun is shining, it’s a wonderful time to be walking in some of my favourite parts of London."

    The pair are taking in some of the capital’s most iconic sights - from Hyde Park, Battersea Power Station, and the Royal Docks cable car yesterday, to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Olympic Park and Tower Bridge today.

  10. 'It feels quite overwhelming'

    Presenters Jon Smith and Nicky Price with microphone next to an enclosure at a wildlife park with Pudsey

    BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenters Jon Smith and Nicky Price have finished their three-legged BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge.

    The pair set off yesterday from Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester and finished today at Birdland Park & Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water.

    Nicky said: "It feels amazing to have finished the challenge.

    "We've had two brilliant days and lots of amazing people have joined us along the way."

    Jon added: "It feels quite overwhelming. We've met so many people and heard so many amazing stories."

    Various guests joined the presenters for each mile along the journey.

    "I've really loved chatting to people, actually," Nicky said.

    “We often meet our guests for a really short time in the studio, so it's been lovely to have a nice chat with them, while of course coordinating and walking three-legged.”

  11. Time to rest and recover after 'gruelling' challenge

    Walking 1,000 miles is a feat in itself, but doing it three-legged creates an even bigger challenge.

    The teams doing their bit for the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge are doing amazingly well, but some of them are struggling more than others.

    BBC Radio Shropshire’s Adam Green sent us this photo after he finished what he described as his "gruelling" stint with fellow presenter Clare Ashford in Shrewsbury this afternoon.

    The team say they are neither confirming nor denying the presence of a pub carpet in this shot:

    A man's knee which has been strapped up with bandages.

  12. In pictures: 857 miles and counting

    You might still be haunted by memories of sports day and the three-legged race - but imagine doing 1,000 miles of it!

    That's what our BBC radio presenters across the UK are trying to do - over the course of two days - as part of the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge.

    Between them, they've passed the 857 mile mark now - almost there!

    The teams who've finished so far are from BBC Radio Stoke, BBC Radio Cumbria, BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Shropshire, BBC Radio Suffolk, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and BBC Radio Wiltshire.

    Children stand with handmade banners saying 'Go Mr Irving' and 'Don't give up Mr Irving!' They are standing with Pudsey.

    BBC Radio Cumbria had the support of these primary school children in their challenge

    Two women stand, arms linked in neon Children in Need bibs and Pudsey ears, smiling

    Smiles from the BBC Radio Berkshire team, who have completed their three-legged journey

    A woman ad man stand arms around each other in neon Children in Need bibs, a handmade banner in colourful letters says, 'Keep going Clare and Adam!' Three pumpkins sit under a welcome sign.

    BBC Radio Shropshire presenters were welcomed to a banner and pumpkins

  13. 'The people of Thanet love where they live'

    Ben Watts
    BBC Radio Kent

    Two men in yellow T-shirts saying 'Pudsey rules' walk down sandy steps, legs tied together with a blue band. Behind them is a beach with water and a cloudy sky.

    The sun has finally come out for us at the halfway mark of today's leg of the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge - Margate Main Sands.

    So far, the day has been great! I'm walking with Adam Dowling, Drive Presenter for BBC Radio Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

    We’ve bumped into so many listeners and so many generous people. The people of Thanet really love where they live, and that has been really special to see.

    We survived West Bay in Westgate-on Sea - which is meant to be very cold and windy - but luckily it’s been very mild. It's been a successful day so far!

  14. In pictures: Walking teams in high spirits

    Many of the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge walking teams are still clocking up their miles, but it's smiles all round as they see the sights, meet locals and pose with Pudsey:

    A woman and a man on a pier. The woman has blonde hair and is wearing yellow Pudsey bear ears. The man is also wearing the ears and has a yellow high vis Children in Need vest on. Both of them have their arms up to celebrate and are smiling at the camera.

    BBC Essex's Rob Jelly and community centre worker Amy on Southend Pier

    Somebody dressed up as Pudsey Bear and standing next to a man with short dark hair and glasses. They are pictured in Aerospace Bristol. There is a concorde plane in the background behind them.

    Pudsey and Joe Lemer from BBC Radio Bristol stopped off at the Aerospace Museum in Filton

    A man crouched down to stroke a brown dog. He has white stubble on his chin and is wearing a yellow high vis vest and yellow Pudsey ears. He is looking at the camera and smiling.

    Scott Makin from BBC Radio Tees stopped to say hello to Inca the dog in Preston Park. He was joined by Inca's owner, Martin, for part of the walk.

    A man and a woman with somebody dressed up as Pudsey bear. The man has short fair hair and the woman has dark long hair. They are both looking at the camera and smiling

    Phil Goodlad and Judith Ralston from BBC Radio Scotland walked round Grangemouth with Pudsey

  15. Watch: 'It's the greatest thing I've ever done'

    While our Thousand Mile Challenge walkers have got their feet firmly planted on the ground, BBC Radio 1’s Greg James has been flying high in his challenge for BBC Children in Need.

    Greg James took to the skies with the legendary Red Arrows after Pudsey urged him to Challenge Yourself for BBC Children in Need.

    After a briefing from Sqn Ldr Jon Bond at RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire, Greg had the ride of a lifetime with the aerobatic team.

    "It's the greatest thing I've ever done," he said.

  16. Watch: Nick Knowles says 'put your best three feet forward'

    TV presenter Nick Knowles sent a video of support to the team at BBC Radio Leicester.

    Knowles and the DIY SOS team carried out a home transformation for Stacey and her daughter Isla earlier this year.

    Isla, who has a rare genetic disorder that makes her bones dangerously brittle and causes her to age prematurely, has been supported by BBC Children in Need since she was born.

    Before Stacey joined Radio Leicester's Ady Dayman for part of the BBC Children in Need Thousand Mile Challenge, she and Isla were surprised with the video message.

    Presenter Nick Knowles' sent a video message to the walkers

  17. How to donate

    BBC Thousand Mile Challenge logo

    To donate online to BBC Children in Need in support of the efforts of teams taking part in the Thousand Mile Challenge attempt, click this link.

    The above link takes you to an external donation page for BBC Children in Need. Its use is subject to their Terms of Use & Privacy Notice.

    For full terms and information on the registered charity, go to www.bbc.co.uk/walk

  18. Watch: Getting girls into coding

    BBC London

    Among the projects supported by BBC Children in Need is the social enterprise Girls into Coding.

    Based in London, it provides free workshops in coding, robotics and engineering for girls aged 10-14 who are underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields.

    The aim is to broaden the girls' horizons, boost their self-confidence and improve their chances of pursuing careers in technology.

    We went along to meet founder Avye Couloute, 18, to find out more.

  19. Where are the most income-deprived areas in the UK?

    Lauren Woodhead
    Data journalist

    One of the issues BBC Children in Need, and the organisations it supports, focuses on is the challenge faced by children living in areas which are income-deprived.

    An income-deprived household is one with an income below 70% of the national average, after housing costs have been taken into account.

    The most recent UK government data found the London borough of Tower Hamlets has the highest proportion of children living in such households.

    A graph showing the proportion of children living in income deprived households around the UK.

    The government estimated that in 2024, 4.3 million children in the UK were living in income-deprived households, with a spokesperson adding that the government was tackling the causes of deprivation "head on".

    The data also found that the most deprived neighbourhood in England was the Jaywick and St Osyth area of Clacton-on-Sea, but that seven of the 10 most deprived neighbourhoods were in the coastal resort of Blackpool.

    Children in deprived areas like these often don't get the chance to join in with activities and experiences that build self-esteem, memories, resilience, aspirations and wellbeing.

    Many of the organisations supported by BBC Children in Need aim to open up new opportunities for young people in those areas.

  20. Drumming weatherman Owain Wyn Evans shows support

    BBC Radio Wales

    Bronwen and Owain smile, his arm around her. She wears a bright flowery pink jacket, he wears a beige jacket with blue criss crosses and white flowers. Both hold orange BBC Radio Wales mics. They stand in a stadium with a Children in Need banner in the background.

    Owain Wyn Evans is no stranger to Children in Need fundraisers

    Drumming weatherman turned BBC Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans, who raised millions for BBC Children in Need with his 24-hour Drumathon in 2021, showed his support to the walkers.

    He was at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to cheer them on, and told BBC Radio Wales’ Bronwen Lewis: “What's incredible about Children in Need is that no matter where you're listening, there will be someone in your postcode who will have benefited.

    "It's through things like the Thousand Mile Challenge - so you're always thinking about the fact that children near you will be helped.

    "For me, going back to Ammanford to see what this charity had done where I grew up really hit home. If you can afford to give, it really does make a massive difference.”