Connor Phillips and colleagues from across BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle will be aiming to go the ‘extra mile’ for Pudsey for this year’s BBC Children in Need, as they take part in The Thousand Mile Challenge.

The challenge, which takes place from November 4 to 8, will see presenters from each radio station across BBC Local Radio in England team up with their colleagues from BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru 2, BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC Radio Shetland and BBC Radio Scotland, to form special swim teams in an attempt to collaboratively complete the epic distance. Each radio station will complete a total of twenty four miles.

In Northern Ireland, the ‘mammoth challenge swim team’ will be made up of Connor, Cate Conway, Anne Marie Wallace and BBC News NI’s Community Correspondent, Mark Simpson, with support from other colleagues.

They will be completing their challenge at the Templemore Baths on Templemore Avenue in Belfast.

Kicking off the five days, Connor will launch the challenge on his BBC Radio Ulster on Monday 4 November, live from the baths from 10.30-12pm, with another outside broadcast on November 8 to round off the week in the water.

This year’s BBC Children in Need show is live on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer from 7pm on Friday 15 November, presented by Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc, Vernon Kay, Lenny Rush, Chris Ramsey, and Rochelle Humes.

Connor Phillips and Holly Hamilton will bring an update from Northern Ireland on the night, and host a special programme, BBC Children in Need 2024 In Northern Ireland on Saturday 16 November.

The hour-long programme, BBC Children in Need 2024 In Northern Ireland, on BBC One NI and BBC iPlayer, filmed at Goal Line Youth Trust in Portadown, features local fundraising stories and highlights from the Appeal Show.

They are joined by Pudsey, Hugo Duncan and Brooke Scullion who hit the road to find out more about the amazing fundraisers, organisations and schools who make such a difference in local communities.

Some of the fundraising organisations visited include Ballybeen Women’s Centre in Dundonald, Down High School, Holy Trinity Kids Club in Enniskillen, and Liv Student Accommodation in Belfast.

And the local BBC Children in Need Choir is back with a very special performance of the Bill Withers classic ‘Lean on Me’, filmed at Randalstown Viaduct with pupils from schools in the local area.

Holly Hamilton says: “I absolutely love BBC Children in Need and I’m so excited to join Pudsey once again and to team up with Connor for another year. I will be cheering him on as he and the local team attempt to complete their swimming challenge! As always, we need your help. Please, please do what you can to help us raise lots of money for this year’s ‘Make Life Lighter For Children’ themed appeal, as your donations do make such a huge difference to children and young people living right here in Northern Ireland.”

Connor Phillips says: “I’m really looking forward to getting into the water and swimming in our Thousand Mile Challenge for the Appeal this year. And I can’t wait to see the smiles that BBC Children in Need puts on people’s faces this year. It’s been another tough year for many but I know Pudsey will be working his magic again. It’s always great to be working with Holly, and I’m always blown away by the passion and energy of the people who have been fundraising, helping to raise loads of money for this year’s BBC Children in Need. So come on everyone, let’s make it the best one yet.”

Last year’s national on the night total was £33.5 million and the overall fundraising total for the 2023 Appeal was £48.8 million. Here in Northern Ireland the appeal has currently 106 grants to projects to a value of more than £4.9m, reaching 19,000 children and young people.

Further information on BBC Children in Need and how to get involved can be found at bbc.co.uk/pudsey

CC