Published: October 15, 2024 — BBC Radio presenters from across the UK are taking the plunge and making a splash by diving head first into a mammoth new swimming challenge for BBC Children in Need.

The Thousand Mile Challenge will see presenters from each radio station across BBC Local Radio in England team up with their 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 in an attempt to collaboratively complete the epic distance. Each radio station will complete twenty four miles each.

The presenters will be cheered on and supported by former Team GB swimmers and Olympians, Rebecca Adlington and Mark Foster. The pair of seasoned swimmers and multiple medal winners have shared their experience, training tips and words of encouragement as the presenters dive into the challenge.

Taking place between Monday 4 November and Friday 8 November, the swimmers will be taking part indoors and out, in pools, rivers and lakes at various locations across the UK. Listeners will be able to hear how their swim teams are getting on via their nearest local radio station and BBC Sounds. Audiences can also follow The Thousand Mile Challenge on 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.”

To donate online and for more information on the challenge audiences can simply visit www.bbc.co.uk/swim

About BBC Children in Need

BBC Children in Need believes that every child should have the chance to thrive and be the best they can be. For this to happen, we want every child to have someone they can turn to for help or support to overcome challenges they face.

We make sure there’s someone able to give food, clothes and beds to a child living without; someone qualified to talk a child who is anxious, isolated or grieving; someone trained to mentor teenagers in communities facing inequality, violence or lack of opportunity; someone to be there for children living with serious illness, disability or carrying a load that’s just too heavy to manage alone.

BBC Children in Need supports children in the communities where you live. We fund amazing people in family centres, community spaces, youth clubs and refuges, homeless shelters, hospices and helplines. In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Only with your support can we continue to be there for hundreds of thousands of children when they need us most. Only with your support can we change their lives.

Further information can be found at www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk