BBC radio presenters to take on swimming challenge for Children in Need

The Thousand Mile Challenge will see BBC radio presenters from across the UK swimming in aid of BBC Children in Need.

BBC Local Radio stations in England will team up with colleagues from BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru 2, BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC Radio Shetland BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle to form special swim teams. Each station will complete twenty-four miles.

Former Team GB swimmers and Olympians, Rebecca Adlington and Mark Foster are supporting the presenters by sharing their experience, training tips and giving words of encouragement.

Taking place between Monday 4th November and Friday 8th November, the swimmers will be taking part indoors and out, in pools, rivers and lakes at various locations across the UK. There will be updates on BBC local stations and social media.

The BBC’s Director of Nations, Rhodri Talfan Davies says: “A thousand miles is some swim! What a way for our radio presenters from across BBC Local and all four nations to come together and raise money for Children in Need.

“It’s going to be tough, for sure, but with the support of millions of listeners, our aim is to help support vital charity projects in communities right across the UK.”

Simon Antrobus, BBC Children in Need’s Chief Executive says: “We’re thrilled to see the BBC Nations and Regions get behind BBC Children in Need’s 2024 Appeal with such an epic challenge.

“Right now, we are only able to fund 1 in 8 organisations who ask us for support. Only with the generosity of the public can we continue help to lighten the load for hundreds of thousands of children, and young people across the UK and help change their lives.”

Find out more on the BBC Children in Need website.