BBC Northern Ireland Presenters Complete Children in Need Swim Challenge

A group of presenters from BBC Radio Ulster has concluded their segment of the current BBC Children in Need 1000 Mile Swim challenge. This initiative involves teams from BBC radio stations throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland collectively aiming to swim 1,000 miles (1,609km). The team based in Belfast comprised Connor Phillips, Cate Conway, Anne-Marie Wallace, and Mark Simpson. Each individual swam one mile daily over a period of five days, with additional participation from some of their BBC Belfast colleagues, contributing to a total of 24 miles. The swimming took place at Templemore Baths in east Belfast, a heritage pool with a history spanning over a century. This challenge forms a component of the current year’s BBC Children in Need fundraising campaign. Connor Phillips completed the Belfast team’s final mile on Friday, broadcast live during his BBC Radio Ulster programme. Upon finishing his last length, he stated: “Where we see the Children In Need money going is phenomenal.“Some of the children haven’t had a great start in the world – and that’s where Children In Need comes in.” The presenters integrated the daily mile-long swim into their professional schedules. Cate Conway, known for co-presenting the Vinny & Cate show, acknowledged the occasional difficulty. She commented: “It was a rollercoaster. It was really good fun… but I won’t lie, it was a struggle. There were days whenever I left the pool and went straight to work and I was exhausted. But I really enjoyed it.” To date, the swim challenge has generated over £100,000 across the United Kingdom. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.