BBC Local Radio Teams Conclude Thousand-Mile Swim for Charity

Local BBC radio stations across the North East and Cumbria have successfully completed their Thousand Mile Challenge, an initiative undertaken for Children in Need. Teams from various parts of the UK collectively swam 1,000 miles (1,609km) in support of Pudsey, with each participating station contributing 24 miles (38.6km) to the total distance. BBC Radio Tees and Cumbria finished their segment of the challenge after five days of swimming. In contrast, BBC Radio Newcastle’s team of five completed its entire portion in a single day, with their final lap broadcast live during Look North. The funds generated from this effort are designated to assist children throughout the country. The BBC Radio Newcastle team achieved its challenge, which was comparable to swimming from South Shields to Consett, at the pool located within Northumbria University in the city. Breakfast presenter Matt Bailey expressed his pride in participating. Mid-morning presenter Anna Foster commented on experiencing “a lot of chafing” but affirmed that it was “worth all the pain.” Rob Law, a commentator for Hartlepool United, met the Radio Tees team at Borocuda Middlesbrough to inform the swimmers they were nearing the completion of their distance, a feat equivalent to traveling from Peterlee, County Durham, to Guisborough, near Middlesbrough. As the swimmers entered the pool for their final session, he remarked, “Some look like seals, others look a little bit more stranded.” He added, “All week you have given your all.” These local stations are undertaking the swim to benefit various local charities, such as Home Start, Teesside, an organization that supports struggling families with children under the age of five. Jane, a recipient of the charity’s support, stated that prior to her referral to Home Start, she had “hit a brick wall.” She further commented, “Without the funding from Children in Need, families like myself would be stuck.” In Cumbria, Carlisle United commentator James Philips and Joanne McKenzie completed their swimming lengths in Derwentwater. Before the final swim, Joanne expressed feeling “nervous” due to the water temperature being approximately 10C. She also noted, “The sky has some blue in it, so that makes me very happy.” She concluded, “It’s been challenging. It’s been really good though, I really enjoyed it.”