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Radio 2's Sara Cox will be taking on a truly epic test of stamina and spirit this November, during a five day mission to get Pudsey... to Pudsey!

She'll be starting on Monday 10 November in the wild beauty of Kielder Forest on the Scottish borders, and aiming to finish in Pudsey in Leeds on the afternoon of Friday 14 November – a symbolic journey carrying ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Children in Need’s iconic mascot Pudsey from border to heartland.

Sara's Great Northern Marathon Challenge will see her covering 135 miles on foot across four counties – Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire - a distance of five marathons across five days. She'll run, jog, and walk through sweeping moorland, steep ridges, and the rolling hills of northern England, with the support of towns, villages, and Radio 2 listeners, along the way.

This marks Radio 2’s longest-ever challenge in terms of duration, and Sara will be relying entirely on her own two feet – whether walking or jogging - no bikes, no cars, just determination, and a touch of northern grit. All to help raise money for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Children in Need.

"When they picked me to get Pudsey to Pudsey, I was honoured & horrified in equal measure," says Sara, "We’re talking 135 miles of hills, moors and blisters – but I am ready for the challenge, and I will absolutely be giving it everything I’ve got!

"Just like with Vernon and Paddy, I know the brilliant Radio 2 listeners will be with me every step of the way, and their encouragement and support will shove me up every incline and pull me through my toughest moments. Pudsey has been part of Children in Need for 40 years this year, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by helping raise much-needed funds for children who need it most."

Radio 2's Paddy McGuinness, who raised an astonishing £10.3 million for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Children in Need with his Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge in 2024, adds, "I know exactly what Sara will be going through so I and the rest of the Radio 2 family of listeners (as well as the Bolton massive) will be supporting her every step of the way, especially up all those hills!”