BBC Radio Stoke Team Completes Charity Swim for Children in Need

A team from BBC Radio Stoke has described the “magic” moment of concluding their segment of The Thousand Mile Challenge, an initiative supporting Children in Need. Lee Blakeman, Aj Hussain, and Jodie Looker, members of the station’s breakfast show, completed the final lengths of their demanding charity endeavor on Friday at Kidsgrove Leisure Centre in Staffordshire. Over the course of the week, the three individuals covered 24 miles, equivalent to more than 1,400 lengths, as BBC radio stations nationwide participated in efforts to raise funds for the charity. Upon exiting the pool, Blakeman remarked that it felt “forever” since the trio had commenced their challenge on Monday. He stated, “It’s just come around like that. It’s magic, everybody who’s texted, everybody who’s donated – that’s what it’s all about.” He added, “It’s about raising money for a really good cause and it goes to helping so many people around here.” Concurrently, Looker expressed feeling somewhat “breathy” following her final segment but was “so chuffed” by their accomplishment. She commented, “It was a real team effort. Thanks to everybody for all the support.” She further added, “I’m quite emotional and I’m absolutely shattered.” Hussain, for his part, claimed he could have continued for another 100 lengths, though he confessed to inadvertently swallowing pool water in the final metres. He humorously described, “My end was just coughing and spluttering everywhere, so very elegant.” The trio undertook their swimming at various leisure centres throughout the Staffordshire and south Cheshire region to achieve the 24-mile target, a distance comparable to that between Crewe and Stone. On Monday, Blakeman received a surprise visit from Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty as his segment commenced in Uttoxeter, the location where the tree-time gold medallist’s swimming career originated. Matt Lee, the breakfast show producer, conveyed his emotions following the team’s successful completion of their challenge. He remarked, “It’s an absolutely epic effort and I’m so proud of them.” Individuals wishing to contribute can do so via the Children in Need website. For updates, follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.