Gary Davies
Presenter, BBC Radio 2

I feel for her so much. I can't even imagine what she's going through. But the fact she just keeps on going...!

Here is how Monday went for Sara on her first day of the challenge!

She set off from the stunning Kielder Forest on the Scottish border to the sound of bagpipes.

It was almost like a safari as Sara was greeted by alpacas, owls, puppies en route (not to forget a yellow bear of course...)

Track and field athlete Steve Cram put on his running shoes to come support Sara along the way, and a special moment for Sara was when her best friend, Clare Hamilton made a surprise appearance!

She was given Pudsey cookies, cupcakes, and crumpets to lift her spirits.

She had her trainers blessed with water from an ancient holy well, ran past Hadrian's Wall and homemade posters galore from schoolkids, before finishing up in Hexham to the beat of samba drums as she powered across a rainy finish line.

The first 27 miles had a lot packed within them, it was truly jam-packed!

Scott Mills
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

It's got to that point now where she can't brave-face it anymore. Every time you speak to her, the emotion is so much. She can't hold it in.

The video of that great moment from earlier - a message of support from Prince William!

The finish line is in sight and Prince William let Sara know that she has got what it takes to get there.

"You're so nearly there and I know the people of Pudsey will all come out and welcome you with huge, open arms. Big hugs, and hopefully lots of your favourite crumpets!"

Scott Mills
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

I can't get my head around that. You did that - the Radio 2 listeners did that.

We had a total of £4 million not that long ago and we just said on a whim 'Oh let's get to £5million', and you did that!

You can follow Sara's every move today with our very handy tracker, which has been charting her progress getting Pudsey to Pudsey - available now on the BBC Children in Need website, external.

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2's Great Northern Marathon Woman

Can I just tell my kids that I'm okay? Because they're going to be listening and freaking out. Tell Isaac, Renee and Lola that I'm okay. And that I'll see them later.

Scott Mills called on listeners earlier to help Sara get over the £5 million mark for donations to her Great Northern Marathon Challenge.

Well, we're there! Sara has done it!

Scott has just announced the latest total to Sara live on Radio 1, revealing that the latest total is... £5,006,515!

Amazing work!

If you'd like to support Sara, you can find all the info at bbc.co.uk/sara!

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2's Great Northern Marathon Woman

Fighting back the tears while speaking to Scott Mills on Radio 2 during a pit-stop, Sara said...

I'm so grateful for every penny that people give. Thank you to everybody. Thank you so much for every penny.

If you are lucky enough to have healthy children, or to feel that our children are happy and healthy, we're so blessed.

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2's Great Northern Marathon Woman

There's an adjective short of "hell"... I'm so puffy, I've never seen my ankles look like this. It's quite alarming. All bruises are coming up. I just look like I've been in the wars.

We've just got to push. Push, push, push!

Sara is on the final day of her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children in Need. She has raised so much so far - think how many people's lives will be changed by that money.

Your donations could bring that total even higher and help even more people. 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!

Before she set off for her final day, Sara took some time to rest and recoup before the gruelling day ahead.

Scott Mills
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

Sara is really struggling. I know it's the final day and we are all talking about the finish line later, but she has got to get there. She's worried about that and panicking that she can't. Anxiety is high again.

We are just over £4 million... let's get it to 5!

Speaking of Pudsey...

On Day 2 of Sara's Challenge, Radio 2's Jeremy Vine spoke to Joanna Lane, the graphic designer who created and named the beloved Children in Need mascot.

Joanna spoke about Pudsey Bear's inspiration and development and the personal meaning behind his name.

Listen back to that on BBC Sounds and read more on the interview here.

Sara's constant companion throughout her challenge has been a specially made Pudsey backpack, which, if everything goes to plan, will finally be delivered to the town that inspired his name later today.

Although Sara has mainly elected to wear it on her back, this Pudsey can also be switched to her front. He also comes with us own waterproof jacket, which has come in handy over the last few rainy days.

Sara revealed that before starting her challenge, she had a practice in her local park, running around with the backpack, joking that she "looked like a weirdo... but he's lovely".

At least he's very lightweight...

Image source, Getty Images

A reminder: Sara Cox's mission is to deliver Pudsey Bear, in the form of a specially made backpack, to the town of Pudsey in West Yorkshire.

As well as being the inspiration for the name of the iconic Children in Need mascot, who's looking remarkably good for 40, what else do you need to know about the place of Pudsey?

Well, it's a market town situated between Bradford and the City of Leeds and is known for its historic wool industry. Also for Pudsey Park, one of the most visited parks in the area.

And it holds several links to famous England cricketers. Impressively, the Yorkshire County Cricket Club has boasted over 100 years with at least one player from Pudsey - there must be something in the water!

Likely the most well-known England cricketer from these parts is legendary Yorkshire batsman Sir Len Hutton, otherwise known as "The Man from Pudsey".

Pudsey also had five-minutes-of-fame in a Monty Python episode, where two characters can be seen walking along the platform of New Pudsey railway station.

Today, a new chapter is set to be written into its history as the final destination in a week-long battle against the odds for our victorious Radio 2 teatime host.

The weather isn't looking great - this is the forecast for the day ahead at the final day destination of Pudsey.

But this won't stop Sara storming towards the finish line later this afternoon.

Mel Giedroyc
BBC Children in Need Presenter

Mel Giedroyc joined Scott Mills on Radio 2 to talk plans for Children in Need live show this evening, and gave some words of support for Sara too...

We're with you! We're all so behind you! It's really emotional. You can do it! We all have faith in you!