Vernon Kay in tears as he completes ultramarathon and raises £4million for Children in Need
Vernon Kay broke down in tears as he limped over the finish line after smashing the record for his Children in Need ultra marathon challenge.
The presenter, who’s furthest training run was 8 miles, left on Tuesday morning and limped into the Bolton Wanderers Stadium today at 10.30am - an hour later than expected, having set off at 5.45am this morning.
He was greeted by his parents Gladys and Norman and lots of family members as he finally reached the end and headed for an ice bath. Vernon, 49, broke down when he was greeted by listener Barbara who had written him a heartfelt letter about how his Radio 2 show had “brought an old lady into the light”.
He told Zoe Ball: “I am absolutely exhausted - physically, mentally, there’s nothing in the tank. But it’s been unbelievable - one of the most painful and joyous experiences I’ve ever had.”
Vernon smashed the Children in Need record (Instagram/ @bbcradio2)
Vernon broke down at the finish line (Instagram/ @bbcradio2)And he asked the crowd: “Is there anyone here who can replace a knee?” Sobbing, he said that the best thing was hearing stories from the people who had donated - one person only managing to scrape together £1.15 but giving it anyway. “We’ve met some brilliant people who have donated what they can.”
Woman tells of losing 29 kilos and becoming a bodybuilder in her 60s
He said that he wouldn’t have made it without the team of fitness experts, including marines, who did it with him. laughing: “If it wasn’t for you we’d still be in Leicester.” When Zoe Ball told him they had brought Barbara the letter-writer to meet him, after listeners started a ‘Bring Barbara to Bolton’ hashtag, he said tearfully: “Tess has had it framed.
"It’s in the kitchen and I walk past it every day. It brings me into the sunshine - I will cherish it forever.”
He said the toughest part of the four days had been the eight-hour walk over Kinder Scout. “I never want to see that hill again,” he admitted.
When Zoe told him the total had come to £4,014,362 he declared: “That’s made it all worthwhile. The pain has lessened! I can’t thank everyone enough. We’ve heard some heartfelt stories and it’s been an emotional rollercoaster but it’s been blimin’ worth it.”
His mother told Ball: “What’s got to me the most is all these people showing him all this affection. I’m his mother and I know he deserves it.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
