She’s done it! Sara Cox raises £7.6 million for Children in Need

Sara Cox has completed her unforgettable Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children in Need this afternoon.

Crossing the finish line in Pudsey at 3.30pm, Sara brought the total raised to an incredible £7,651,855 as Scott Mills revealed the figure live on Radio 2.

She began the final stretch exhausted, emotional and overwhelmed but determined to finish the journey she described as the hardest thing she has ever done.

Speaking moments after crossing the finish line, her voice shook as she tried to take in what she had achieved, admitting she “couldn’t believe it” and calling the week-long effort the most painful yet wonderful experience of her life.

In the bitter rain and freezing winds that defined so much of her challenge, she said the support from people lining the streets powered her on, from truck drivers sounding their horns to farmers stopping work and children waving homemade signs.

She explained that those moments of eye contact with supporters became her motivation during the toughest sections, giving her the strength to fight through relentless fatigue and unfamiliar levels of pain.

As Scott asked how she felt inside that moment, Sara returned again to the physical and emotional toll, but also the moments of connection that helped her push forward.

When the final fundraising total was revealed, she was visibly moved, calling it “amazing” and emphasising that every pound would change the lives of children, young people and families who rely on the support provided by Children in Need.

Her gratitude for the public response was immediate, heartfelt and full of relief after the most demanding week of her broadcasting career.

Melanie C joined the celebrations at the finish line and performed live on Radio 2, singing Northern Star before delivering a medley of Spice Girls favourites to mark Sara’s arrival.

Before she crossed the line, Melanie admitted she felt emotional watching the challenge unfold and described Sara’s effort as testament to the strength and determination people rarely realise they have.

She later shared earlier encouragement she had sent, urging Sara to dig deep and praising her for taking on such an exceptional test.

Sara’s week has included steep climbs, unrelenting weather and five themed challenge days that pushed her both mentally and physically.

She conquered the Loneliest, Highest, Hilliest, Longest and Final Day stretches, battling a one thousand five-hundred-foot ascent, icy wind and sheets of sideways rain, and at one point calling a morning stage one of the toughest of her life.

The nation followed every mile, and messages of support arrived constantly, including the special video from Prince William on her final morning.

He praised her extraordinary determination and told her the country was proud of her achievements, encouraging her to keep going and promising a warm welcome at the finish.

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, paid tribute to the country’s overwhelming response, saying that Sara had captured the nation’s heart and that communities across the route had shown kindness in every town and village.

She said that the challenge represented the best of BBC broadcasting and highlighted the incredible generosity of listeners who supported Sara at every stage.