“I’m absolutely exhausted. I’m absolutely spent. Physically, mentally, there’s nothing in the tank.“ said Vernon Kay this morning after he arrived at the Bolton Wanderers Stadium following a four day marathon which has raised over £4m for Children in Need
Earlier Vernon set off at 5.30am heading from Old Trafford to Bolton Wanderers Football Stadium, where there was a live outside broadcast of The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Radio 2.
There were 400 members of the public who’d received tickets to be there in a free ballot
En route to Bolton, presenter Richie Anderson was at Vernon’s old secondary, Saint Joseph’s RC High School.
Richie Anderson spoke to his old music teacher, Mrs Hampson, who said:
He was famously in Guys and Dolls, he was Nicely Nicely Johnson. He was in a great group of kids and they really put on a fantastic show…. He was a lovely lad, a lovely family, always very polite, always smiling, always up for anything and was always destined for great things and it’s been lovely to watch him on his journey… I’m absolutely bursting with pride, I can’t tell you. He’s done so amazingly well, and passed the three million. Absolutely off the scale and I’m thrilled to bits for him. Well done Vernon, let’s get him to that finish line.
Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2 said:
“Vernon is a total hero! That was one of the hardest challenges ever attempted for BBC Children in Need, but it was the incredible support he’s received from the public all along the way that spurred him on and gave him what he needed to keep on going. We’re so very grateful to all the Radio 2’s listeners that have donated, with a total now well over £4 million and rising! Thank you Vernon and all the team who have supported him.”
Tommy Nagra, Director of Content at BBC Children in Need said:
“BBC Radio 2 and its generous listeners always excel when it comes to supporting BBC Childrenj in Need. At a time when times are so hard for so many people, Vernon has captured the hearts of the nation during his epic four day challenge. He is an inspiration and we are so thankful to him. The money he has raised will make a difference to so many young lives. Vernon now deserves a well-earned rest!”
