Bananas, Bolton and the British public's 'generosity of spirit' helped Vernon Kay complete his Ultramarathon raising more than £4m for Children in Need. The Bolton-born broadcaster finished his 116-mile journey at the Toughsheet Stadium this morning (November 17).
The 49-year-old has been travelling by foot from Leicester since Tuesday (November 14) to raise money for the charity. He arrived in Stockport on Thursday (November 16) before reaching the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground where he was greeted by a huge crowd.
His family, friends and colleagues cheered him on as he reached the finish line at Bolton Wanderer's stadium where the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show was being broadcast from. Presenter Zoe Ball then announced that he had raised more than £4m for charity so far.
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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Vernon said the 'generosity of spirit' from people he met along the way got him through the mammoth challenge. He also revealed that eating many bananas and knowing he was coming back to his hometown helped too.
"It means I can go home now and get back in my old bed," he said. "Because my mum and dad only live five minutes from here, if that."
The former model's last stop before reaching the finish line was at his old school, St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich. Crowds of students and former pupils who he had not seen since leaving school in 1990 met him there as well as his old PE and physics teachers.
"I was like, 'how long we got?' he said. "They said, 'we've got to go', and I was like, 'let's have a tour'.
"So we went around the old dinner hall again which is exactly the same and it was just nice to be in there. It brought back a lot of good memories because I loved school. I wasn't one of them kids who didn't want to get up and not go to school. I loved it."
Singers Emile Sande and Ultra Nate performed live at the Toughsheet Stadium together with the Eagley Brass Band. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News afterwards, Zoe Ball, whose dad grew up in Bolton, said her 'heart is so buoyant' with pride for the 'hero'.
"His body's going to take a little bit of time to recover," she said. "I don't know what he's done to those knees but I don't think it's pretty and goodness knows what his feet are like.
"I think he's been running on adrenaline for the last two days to be honest. I've never seen a boy inhale a pasty so fast in my life.
"But there's going to be quite a big moment tonight when he goes on the show and you see that. I think for everyone who's donated, it's been such a family effort, from the whole country. Phenomenal."
