Vernon Kay is undertaking a marathon feat all the way back to his hometown to raise money for Children In Need.
The Bolton born broadcaster joined Zoe Ball on her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show this morning to reveal to the nation that for BBC Children in Need’s 2023 Appeal on Radio 2, he will be taking on marathons and ultramarathons across four days to get him from Victoria Park in Leicester, recent home of Radio 2 in the Park, to Bolton Wanderersfootball stadium in his hometown in' Vernon Kay’s ULTRA Ultramarathon Challenge!'
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Vernon will start his challenge on 14 November 14 and aim to finish around 9am on November 17 covering approximately 115 miles on foot.
Throughout the challenge, he will still be broadcasting his own weekday morning show live whilst being joined by a variety of special guests to spur him on.
Vernon said: "I was just settling into my new mid-morning routine and now this!
“Everyone who has previously undertaken a BBC Children in Need challenge has raised so much money for this brilliant charity, so the pressure is on, but I’m up for it... so come on, let’s do this!"
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Audiences can send their own messages of support to Vernon and donate via text and online.
Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, said: "Who better than to take on this year’s Radio 2 challenge for BBC Children in Need than the newest member of our family and Bolton’s very own, Mr Vernon Kay. Run, Vernon run, we’re all super proud of you!"
The money raised will go towards supporting children and young people across the UK facing a range of disadvantages.
Simon Antrobus, BBC Children in Need Chief Executive, says: "In recent years, the wellbeing of children and young people across the UK has been hugely challenged, sadly making the lives of children and young people facing disadvantage that much harder, so we are thrilled that Vernon is taking on such an enormous challenge to help make a difference when it is needed most.
“We will be cheering him on every step of the way!"
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Vernon's challenge follows on from other Radio 2 presenters who have done previous challenged for Children In Need including The Great Scott TreadMills Challenge when Scott walked, jogged and ran for 24 hours on a treadmill raising over £1.3 million.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco Danceathon in 2021 which also raised over £1.3 million and Joe Wicks 24 Hour PE Challenge in 2020 which raised over £2.5 million in 2020.
If you have a story tweet @TheBoltonNews or @Alicegerrard157 or email alice.gerrard@newsquest.co.uk.
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