Vernon Kay raises over 1.3m for charity in Ultra Ultramarathon Challenge
Vernon Kay has raised more than £1.3 million for charity during his brutal Ultra Ultramarathon Challenge - but it has left him "absolutely shattered".
The BBC Radio 2 presenter, 49, was cheered on by onlookers as he completed more than 40 miles on Wednesday (15.11.23), and he is due to run more than 30 miles on Thursday (16.11.23) before reaching Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium tonight, and then pushing forward to the Bolton Wanderers Football Stadium on Friday (17.11.23).
During Radio 2's 'The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show' on Thursday morning, Vernon chatted about his progress, and was called a "hero".
He said: "It was brilliant! It was awesome and do you know what? A lot of people have showed up this morning as well, they’ve been here for quite a while, and I’ve got loads of friends that live in Buxton, I call them the Rave Brigade from up Buxton, and the Derbyshire Dales, and they’ve all come out to see me, which brings back so many happy memories from when we were out raving and whatnot, its brilliant."
The 42-year-old presenter then quizzed the former 'I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!' star about how he was physically holding up, to which he admitted he was "absolutely shattered".
He said: "It was an interesting one yesterday because I was absolutely shattered after the 40 miles and then I came in and then there’s obviously ... your body pumps itself full of adrenaline when you see everyone smiling and clapping and cheering, and whooping and hollering.
"And then there’s that lull, where you just sit down and you kind of slowly take it all in and try and compute what’s happened and then I got into my bedroom and I just literally collapsed on the bed!
"And this morning, I couldn’t wake up and I felt really a bit, I said to the gang, I said, 'I feel sick this morning, I feel a bit light-headed, stomachs not the best', and they were like, 'oh it’s to be expected, because of everything that you’ve done.' "
Vernon's parents also offered their support for him during an appearance on 'The Jo Whiley Show'.
Gladys, his mother, said: "Hello Vern. Right now listen, you’re doing wonderfully. Honestly, I can’t tell you, all this love and support that you’re getting is getting to me. I’m so so proud, I’m filling up because you know how much you’re loved and to hear these comments about you online and listening to all these people and writing it up to my son, it’s just too much."
His father then jokingly added: "Yeah, do what your mum says. She’s the boss."
For all the behind-the-scenes pictures and videos of Vernon's challenge head to @BBCRadio2 on Instagram and TikTok.
To make a donation go to bbc.co.uk/Vernon
