Children in Need viewers make major demand after DJ Sara Cox raises whopping £9 million
BBC Radio 2 host Sara Cox completed a gruelling challenge to raise money for the charity
Sara Cox has got viewers saying the same thing after raising over £9.5 million for the Children in Need charity.
The BBC Radio 2 host took it upon herself to run 135 miles in five days to raise money as part of the annual fundraising show, which aired on Friday night (14 November) from Media City UK, Salford.
In total, the 2025 Children in Need appeal raised around £45.5 million to help children and young people in the UK, with Cox responsible for around a fifth of this total.
There were sketches from shows such as Gladiators and The Apprentice, along with some performances from Lewis Capaldi and some of the Strictly Come Dancing professionals, among others.
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Cox's 135-mile challenge consisted of completing five marathons in five days across northern England as she ran, jogged and walked through Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire through cold and wet conditions, all while wearing a Pudsey Bear backpack.
Fittingly, the final destination for the radio host was the town of Pudsey in Leeds, telling the BBC after the first leg that she 'may be occasionally stumbling, limping and weeping', but the goal is to get her 'sorry self' to the finish line.
Cox was determined to finish the Great Northern Marathon Challenge across the four counties, and did so at around 3.30pm yesterday, having been greeted by a performance from ex-Spice Girl Melanie C at the finish line.
After crossing the finish line, she admitted: “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it … hello Yorkshire! I’m an honorary Yorkshirewoman now.”
The radio personality didn't just run the distance, she also battled through the awful weather brought about by Storm Claudia in the final day of her challenge en route to raising the final total of £9,523,028.
Cox appeared on stage at Media City UK during the show yesterday, telling host Paddy McGuinness: "Can I just explain? I did have nice matching shoes, but my feet are so swollen that I've just got little Crocs on!"
Social media users all thought the same thing when Cox showed up at the annual event, as one wrote: "What a wonderful person @sarajcox is. Well done to Sara and the @BBCRadio2 listeners for raising 9 Million. A reminder there is plenty good left in the world."
Another claimed she may be due for a name change, saying: "When is it going to be, Dame Sara Cox? A remarkable northerner and ever so popular on Radio 2," as another added: "'Dame' Sara Cox, Unbelievable effort."
A third posted: "I’ve been listening all week & it’s been so emotional! What an incredible achievement well done Sara you legend."
What makes the compliments more fitting is that Prince William even sent her a message of support in the middle of her challenge, when the radio host was really up against it.
Reflecting on the challenge, Cox said that she was 'exhausted', explaining: "It's been the most amazing, painful and wonderful few days of my life. Thank you so much to everyone who's donated...
"The Radio 2 family has been incredible, and the people who stood by at the side of the road in the sideways rain and wind. It's incredible."
The gracious radio host then thanked listeners when she heard the total in yet another wholesome moment involving the 50-year-old.
Joshua Nair