Vernon Kay proudly reveals to Sara Cox that Radio 2’s Children in Need Challenge has now raised a phenomenal £439,255

Vernon Kay revealed to Sara Cox on the Radio 2 (9:30am-12pm) that the Children in Need Challenge total has reached a phenomenal £439,225. A thrilled Sara said: “Wow! Oh my god, thank you so much. That's incredible...the Radio 2 audience, as ever, are coming for me like a storm, she says as she walks through an actual storm. Yay! We've raised some serious cash - you guys are amazing, thanks so much for donating, keep going!”

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill has spoken to Vernon Kay on Radio 2 about what it takes for big athletic feats like Sara’s challenge. “A lot of it is physical. But actually the mental side is the most important side. For me, it was something we focused on a lot. How do you handle the training sessions. How do you put your mind to a place where it needs to be when you're really struggling. And feeling tired and fatigued. Sara's gonna be feeling that and is going to need to find a good mindset. To be successful, you have to have a strong mentality. She's gonna be feeling this, it's such a huge challenge. You need to think about the bigger picture, this incredible challenge, and the difference it's going to make.”

Earlier this morning, Sara Cox spoke to Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2 about the intense weather conditions she is facing today on the highest day of the challenge: “Well, it’s nice…i’s nice by this nice fire. It’s hard to warm up out there because it’s very stop start.  You know, you just can’t quite get into a rhythm because of the hills. I have got to confess, for the last little stretch there I have put on a little bit of stones, chase and status and backbone and powered along for the last 200 yards…I think today is very much plough on. I have just got to push on. The rain is kind of sideways which is what I was a little bit worried about before this challenge.  Sideways rain, quite windy and quite icy cold rain as well. So, I have just got to put one foot in front of the other mate.” 

Dragon Den’s Sara Davies shares a good luck message on Vernon’s Radio 2 show: “Sara! Welcome to county Durham, right. Now I have been watching you, so determined to get through every stage and get onto the next place. I am so so impressed. You are doing brilliantly and I know so many people will be donating for your challenge to help Children in Need. Think of all the happy faces at the finish line and all those kind words and you really need all of our support okay. You are half way through now, keep on going.”

Today on Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show (12:00-14:00), Jeremy will be speaking to the creator of Pudsey Bear Joanna Lane as Pudsey turns 40. For the first time, she’s sharing how her own childhood experience of being beaten by a teacher inspired her to design a bear who could protect other children. As Sara Cox runs through North Shields, Jeremy will also speak to ‘Headstand Mike’ who will be doing 800 headstands around the town to celebrate 800 years of North Shields. Headstand Mike will greet Sara mid-marathon, on his head.