Popular Radio 2 DJ Vernon Kay will be returning to Leicester next month as part of a mammoth charity running challenge.
Vernon, who hosts the station’s morning show will be taking on marathons and ultramarathons across four days to get him from Victoria Park in Leicester – recent home of Radio 2 in the Park – to Bolton Wanderers’ football stadium in his hometown as part of ‘Vernon Kay’s ULTRA Ultramarathon Challenge’.
Mr Kay will start his challenge on Tuesday, November 14 and aim to finish around 9am on Friday November 17 (BBC Children in Need Appeal Day), covering approximately 115 miles on foot.
It will be broadcast live on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds across that time, with video highlights and further coverage on Radio 2’s social channels.
During the challenge, which is in aid of ‘Children in Need’, Radio 2 presenters will be broadcasting their regular shows offering Vernon lots of support and keeping him motivated and spurred on with messages from the listeners. Vernon will also be broadcasting his own weekday morning show live whilst undertaking the challenge. He’ll be joined on his journey by a variety of special guests to keep him going.
“I was just settling into my new mid-morning routine and now this! Everyone who has previously undertaken a BBC Children in Need challenge has raised so much money for this brilliant charity, so the pressure is on, but I’m up for it… so come on, let’s do this!” he said.
Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, said: “Who better than to take on this year’s Radio 2 challenge for BBC Children in Need than the newest member of our family and Bolton’s very own, Mr Vernon Kay. Run, Vernon run, we’re all super proud of you!”
Audiences can send their own messages of support to Vernon and donate via text and online (details to be given nearer the time). The money raised will go towards supporting children and young people across the UK facing a range of disadvantages.
Simon Antrobus, BBC Children in Need Chief Executive, says: “In recent years, the wellbeing of children and young people across the UK has been hugely challenged, sadly making the lives of children and young people facing disadvantage that much harder, so we are thrilled that Vernon is taking on such an enormous challenge to help make a difference when it is needed most. We will be cheering him on every step of the way!”
