Four of BBC NI’s most recognisable faces of television and radio are aiming to go the extra mile for BBC Children in Need this year as they take part in a mammoth thousand mile swimming challenge.
Presenter Connor Phillips will be joined by Cate Conway, Anne Marie Wallace and BBC News NI’s Community Correspondent, Mark Simpson — as they team up with other BBC radio stations to each swim 24 miles over the course of four days.
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, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru 2, BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC Radio Shetland and BBC Radio Scotland.
Each station will form swim teams in an attempt to collaboratively complete the distance.
For the BBC Radio Ulster team, they will be completing their challenge at the Templemore Baths on Templemore Avenue in east Belfast.
The host of the Connor Phillips Show will officially launch the challenge live from the baths on Monday, November 4 between 10.30am and 12pm.
It marks a busy few days for the broadcaster, who will also be joining wife Holly Hamilton in hosting the Northern Irish updates for the annual fundraising event which kicks off on Friday, November 15 from 7pm.
The pair 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, November 16.
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.
During the broadcast, they will be joined by Pudsey, Hugo Duncan and Brooke Scullion who all hit the road to find out more about the fundraisers, organisations and schools who make a difference in local communities.
Some of the fundraising organisations featured include Ballybeen Women’s Centre in Dundonald, Down High School, Holy Trinity Kids Club in Enniskillen, and Liv Student Accommodation in Belfast.
To round off the celebration, the local BBC Children in Need Choir also returns with a special performance of the Bill Withers classic ‘Lean on Me’, filmed at Randalstown Viaduct with pupils from schools in the local area.
Speaking about the event, Connor Phillips said: “I’m really looking forward to getting into the water and swimming in our Thousand Mile Challenge for the Appeal this year.
“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.”
Holly Hamilton added: “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.”
More information on Children in Need can be found at bbc.co.uk/pudsey and to support the Thousand Mile Swim challenge head to bbc.co.uk/swim.