BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox experienced an emotional breakdown live on air after discovering she had reached an incredible fundraising milestone during her Children In Need marathon challenge.
The Million Pound Moment
The tearful moment occurred on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, when fellow radio host Scott Mills revealed live on air that Sara had raised an astonishing £1,002,869 for Children In Need. The announcement came during the third day of her gruelling 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge.
An overwhelmed Sara responded through tears: "Oh my god. One million two thousand…we've done a million! Oh my god. That's massive, thank you." She continued, "You have completely broken me everybody who has donated, Thank you so much. Oh, gosh. I can't believe it! That is so generous. Every fiver, every tenner. It all makes a massive difference."
The Challenging Journey
The radio star had covered 28 miles on Wednesday alone, travelling from Wolsingham to Richmond in North Yorkshire. However, the physical toll was becoming increasingly apparent as she confessed to listeners: "If I'm honest, I'm really, really struggling this morning."
Sara revealed she had suffered a poor night's sleep, remaining awake from midnight until 3am, and was battling a dull ache in her legs and feet. Her colleague Scott Mills expressed concern, stating: "I really feel for her. She needs all the help she can get."
Community Support and Surprises
Despite her physical struggles, Sara received tremendous support throughout the day. Cockfield Primary School provided a heartwarming surprise by serenading her with a modified version of Moana's "You're Welcome," with lyrics changed to offer words of encouragement.
In another uplifting moment, Gethin Jones surprised Sara while riding a tractor, visiting her route to provide much-needed moral support. These gestures highlighted the community spirit driving her fundraising efforts forward.
The challenge began on Monday and will see Sara traverse four counties: Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. She is running, jogging and walking all the way to Pudsey after starting in Kielder Forest near Scotland.
As she continues her remarkable journey, Sara Cox's emotional reaction to reaching the million-pound mark demonstrates the profound impact of public generosity and the personal commitment driving this extraordinary charity effort for Children In Need.
