Newscast – the BBC's daily news podcast – is also taking on a bold challenge for Children in Need: a 25-hour non-stop podcast-a-thon, streaming live on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.

Beginning at 8am on Thursday 13 November straight through to 9am on Friday 14 November, the marathon podcast attempt will be hosted in full by Newscast’s Adam Fleming.

Throughout the podcast-a-thon, Adam will be joined by fellow hosts Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg, and Paddy O’Connell, as well as BBC journalists from across the newsroom and surprise guests. Listeners can expect Newscast’s usual analysis of the day’s events, deep-dives and expert interviews all delivered with the podcast’s signature wit and insight.

On Vernon Kay's Radio 2 show this morning, Sara received a message of support from Wallace (of Wallace and Gromit fame), and now we've heard from the makers of the duo's favourite cheese...

Let's hope the thoughts of cheese keep Sara going on her challenge!

Ella Toone
Manchester United and England footballer

Ella is one of the new motivational coaches on Couch to 5K, and wants to use her platform to help people start their fitness journey. She checked in with Vernon Kay to discuss keeping motivated, which might be of help to Sara...

I just remember why I do it. I want to be the best that I can be, so I can't let any of these sessions go to waste, rain or shine. I think back at all the sacrifices Mum and Dad made for me throughout my childhood and think - what's one day in the rain?

Crowds have braved the weather to greet Sara in Patrick Brompton, North Yorkshire today.

Sara herself has said it's been "a special morning", as she's been able to join in with another great challenge - Jude's challenge from The One Show Challenge Squad.

Jude, 20, from North London, was born with spina bifida. As Jude grew up, he had multiple operations to help him to walk more easily. Facing multiple operations was difficult for Jude and his family, with the recovery sometimes taking months.

As Jude has grown up, he’s taken every opportunity to embrace sport - especially football. Playing football has enabled Jude to grow in confidence and he now coaches an inclusive football team.

Jude is part of the Challenge Squad, which is made up of four inspirational young people who have benefitted from BBC Children in Need funding, and undertake incredible challenges to help make a difference to young lives.

"He was brilliant, he's super strong," Sara said. "He smashed out 8K this morning, with spina bifida and all the complications that can bring with your movement and walking - what an absolute legend."

You can read more about The One Show's Challenge Squad here., external

And keep track of Sara's progress on the Children in Need tracker, external.

Wallace
Friend of Gromit, Cheese Lover, Inventor

Messages of support don't get much better than this...

Sara, me ol' mucker, it's Wallace! Congratulations on this old challenge of yours, you're doing absolutely cracking!

Five marathons in five days! She's absolutely bonkers, isn't she Gromit? Oh, but aye lass, think of the children you're doing it for, and also the money you're raising. You really are a true champ. Oh and what luck that today you're not too far from my favourite place in the whole world... the home of Wensleydale cheese!

Oh, good luck for your final day and a half chuck. Me and Gromit are right behind you every step of the way, and we know the whole nation is too. Oh that's got me quite peckish... Gromit, fetch the crackers!

Yes, we're at over £2.6 million (and counting)!

Amazing support - and Sara still can't believe it:

You can follow Sara's every move with our very handy online tracker, which charts her progress in getting Pudsey to Pudsey.

That's available now on the BBC Children in Need website, external.

Here's where Sara is right now. She left Richmond this morning and she's aiming to make it to Ripley by the end of today!

Good luck, Sara!

Vernon Kay has just revealed a new fundraising total to Sara Cox live on Radio 2.

The donations keep coming in, and the overall total keeps rising, and now we're at... a huge £2,680,747!

Hearing the news, Sara exclaimed: "Wow, that is incredible!"

Superb work from all involved - from Sara, to all those supporting with messages and donations, and everyone behind the Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children in Need!

We can't thank you enough! Find out how to support Sara with a donation.

Some messages from Radio 2 listeners, in awe of Sara Cox during her challenge and wishing her the very, very best:

Alan Shearer
Pundit and former England striker

Football legend Alan Shearer has sent in this message of support for Sara...

I just wanted to wish you all the best for your Great Northern Marathon Challenge. 135 miles in five days is an amazing effort. I’d love to be there to support you in person but Pudsey Bear moves quicker than me these days! Good luck!

If you're just joining us, Sara is three marathons down and today is Sara's longest of the challenge so far.

The road ahead is beautiful...yet brutal. She faces more than 29 unforgiving miles in all today.

After crawling through the town of Catterick Garrison, the terrain turns treacherous once again, as Sara tackles the undulating countryside through Masham, Grewelthorpe and Kirkby Malzeard.

After more than 12 hours on the road today… as the light fades, she’ll finally arrive in Ripley, a full FOUR marathons completed!

Vernon Kay
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

I know it's a cliche, but you've got to get to that happy place. Yesterday was horrible, listening to Sara struggle, I must admit I started to get those old flashbacks. But getting through the pain barrier is part of why people donate to Children in Need. You're putting yourself in an uncomfortable position and people think "well, I'm really glad it's you and not me". She'll get through it though, she's got Northern grit flowing through her veins!

Sara's sister, Dot (plus other members of their family) popped by on route to surprise Sara earlier this morning.

It's fair to say the visit produced some big feels, with Sara saying "hang on, we need security to tackle 'em down! Who's this bunch running towards me?! Oh... it's my family!"

Catch up with the wholesome moment below. We're not crying - you are!

Romesh Ranganathan
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

Salt-N-Pepa - Push It

I've got nothing but massive respect for what you’re doing for Children In Need. Running the Great Northern Marathon Challenge takes guts. And possibly a questionable sense of what's fun. We all know you're absolutely going to crush it... Probably... Well, chances are good... When things get tough stick this one on. Appropriate right? Because you've got to 'push it' when it's getting tough. Good luck!

From Scott Mills and Greg James to Michelle Visage and Jeremy Vine, hear more stars picking Songs For Sara Cox on BBC Sounds.

Vernon Kay checks in with Radio 2's Travel Reporter, Ellie Brennan, on Sara's progress so far. It's fair to say that everyone at Radio 2 is beaming with pride for the Northern powerhouse.

Ellie: "The vibes are good. It feels exciting. I'm so thrilled for Sara, she's in a good place, she's had that sleep and despite being in a lot of pain, it's good vibes!"

Vernon: "Once you get past the pain barrier, everything else falls into place. There are people there that can help her ease that pain, and then it'll all be alright. I've just taken a look at the tracker, external, I'm a big fan of the concentric circles on an OS map, we want to find out whether it's steep or whether it's flat - and it's neither. It's horrendous is the only way to describe what is coming Sara's way..."

Ellie: "Oh..."

Vernon: "But at least it's not raining and she seems in good spirits, but it's not the perfect route for how she's feeling."

Ellie: "But if anyone can dig deep, it's Sara Cox. She's a machine. She's incredible!"

Well, it's been an eventful morning already on BBC Radio 2 Sara's Great Northern Marathon Challenge!

If you missed any of these highlights from Scott Mills' Breakfast Show this morning, ask your smart speaker to play BBC Radio 2, then 'Ask BBC Sounds to rewind to' the times below. Get more help with using smart speakers here.

• 07.22 - Sara sets off from Richmond

• 08:05 - Listeners like Sharon are moved by Sara's story
• 08:19 - First play of the Children In Need Single for 2025
• 08:50- Sara's Sister and family surprise her with a visit

• 09:09 - Scott shares a new total with an emotional Sara, a whopping £2,354,405 raised!

You can also catch up on Scott's show below, or via our Watch & Listen tab at the top of the page for the rest of today.

Sara is into the penultimate day of her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children in Need.

If you'd like to support Sara with a text or online donation, and spur her on even further, you can find all the details below or at bbc.co.uk/sara!

Earlier, Scott Mills debuted Thread of Hope, the official BBC Children in Need single for 2025. You can hear the song in full by clicking or tapping the play icon above.

Written by Tom Fletcher, the author and McFly star, and performed with his 10‑year‑old son Buzz, the song was created to mark Pudsey’s 40th anniversary. It provides the soundtrack to a new animated special Pudsey and the Thread of Hope, external.

The animation tells the story of Jai, a young boy coping with grief, who finds healing with the help of Pudsey Bear.

Listeners to Scott's show were moved by the track. Sally said: “What a beautiful song. I’m in tears listening to Thread of Hope with my son this morning.” Jane in Birmingham added: “I’m sobbing. What an amazing father‑son song.”

You can see Tom and Buzz perform Thread of Hope live on the BBC Children in Need Live Show tomorrow night from 7pm on BBC One.

Scott Mills
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

It's the positivity and the generosity of a whole nation behind her, what an absolute legend. I'll say it again, £2,354,405! You did that, the Radio 2 listeners did that! We cannot thank you enough!