The popular BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has committed to finishing her monumental 135-mile (217 km) journey for the BBC Children in Need appeal, even if it means reaching the finish line "weeping and limping." The teatime show host recently completed the first section of her Great Northern Marathon Challenge, which began in Kielder Forest, Northumberland. The objective of the five-day trek is to personally deliver a custom-made bear backpack to the town of Pudsey in Leeds, crossing four counties: Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire, reports The WP Times with reference to BBC.
Locals gathered at the starting point to offer their encouragement. The send-off included music from the Morpeth Pipe Band's Stuart Todd and a horn blast provided by Andrea Foote, a trustee from the Morpeth Riding for the Disabled Association. Cox expressed her strong determination to Radio 2, stating, "It's definitely wet and soggy but it's going to be ok. There are loads of people here. There are kids with flags. Everyone has got their Pudsey ears on, people have got signs - it's lovely." She later confirmed to BBC Breakfast that she would be running as much of the route as possible to save time. "I may be occasionally stumbling, limping and weeping, but I will getting my sorry self to Pudsey in Leeds on Friday," she vowed.
The Pudsey backpack, which is being carried by Cox throughout the challenge, weighs a mere 270 grams and was specially designed for the event. Cox noted that the bear was prepared for the weather: "The backpack has even got a little rain mac which is kind of cute so I am going to pop that on in a minute." She added that she would look after the bear and admitted, "I don't know what state he will be in to be honest by the time we get to Pudsey, but we will look after each other." Numerous celebrities, including Olympian Mo Farah, former Sporty Spice Mel C, and Louis Theroux, have sent their messages of support to Cox. Farah encouraged her: "Sara, you have got what it takes. Believe in yourself." A behind-the-scenes film chronicling her effort, titled Sara Cox: Every Step of the Way for Children in Need, is scheduled to air on BBC One on 19 November at 20:00.
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