BBC Personnel Conclude Children in Need Swimming Challenge

Personnel from BBC Radio Solent and BBC South Today participated in a swimming event to collect funds for BBC Children In Need. On Friday, the team concluded their 24-mile challenge by swimming the last 470 lengths, bringing their total to 1,545 lengths. The concluding segment of the event was performed by Ed Sault from South Today, Radio Solent presenters Steve Harris and Lucy Ambache, apprentice Saffron Finch, and sports reporter Rob Sills. These five individuals finished their swimming at Two Riversmeet in Christchurch, Dorset, just prior to 10:00 GMT. Their participation was part of The Thousand Mile Challenge, an initiative where groups from various BBC radio stations exchanged their broadcast studios for swimming pools with the goal of collectively covering 1,000 miles (1,609km) by Friday’s close. Katie Martin, a BBC Radio Solent presenter who broadcast the station’s breakfast program from the poolside, stated she became emotional as the swimmers completed their task. She remarked, “I am so proud of them.. what a phenomenal effort.” Harris, a presenter for the Dorset Breakfast Show, commented, “I’m really elated to be part of something big.” He added, “I had to do just over 300 lengths we, our little team, had to do 24 miles, and overall that contributed to the 1,000 miles.” Harris further stated, “…that is what Children in Need is. We all do our bit, whatever we can, and together we can achieve something monumental.” Despite an injured arm, afternoon presenter Ambache completed her lengths equipped with an inflatable llama and Pudsey ears worn over her swim hat. She entered the pool after declaring “it will hopefully keep me afloat,” though she briefly found herself inverted before commencing her swim. Acknowledging she was not the team’s “engine,” she explained, “I was doing it for the middle lane swimmers for such a great reason.” Following a minor issue where his goggles became dislodged, Ed Sault of South Today quickly resumed swimming vigorously. He later commented, “I am elated and buzzing.. but I am going to miss this next week.” As numerous lengths still needed to be completed and with the time at 09:15, the team introduced “super sub” Sills. Sills stated, “It was brilliant to come off the bench and to be part of such a fantastic achievement.” The sports presenter swam in place of newsreader Michael Coombes, who had initiated the challenge on Monday. Finch mentioned that the objective for the “major feat” had seemed somewhat formidable at the week’s outset. However, she added that hearing “cheers all along the poolside” and concluding the swim “with a whole school beside us with Pudsey ears on made it so much fun.” Information regarding following BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram is provided. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Details on their external linking policy are available.