Vernon’s hardest day
Scott followed the third day of Vernon Kay’s 115-mile ultra-ultramarathon for BBC Children in Need.
The route crossed Kinder Scout in mist, rain and increasingly difficult conditions.
The planned path became unsafe enough for the support team to divert Vernon, adding around another mile to an already punishing day.
Scott pointed out that Vernon had finished at around 9.30pm the previous night and had restarted at approximately 7.30am.
Even after reaching the top of Kinder Scout, he still faced roughly another 18 miles.
Hayfield waits
Listeners and local residents gathered in Hayfield to welcome Vernon down from the hills.
Tony, Nicky and Leanne had closed their travel shop so they could join the crowd.
The Sportsman pub offered him a bowl of chips loaded with salt and vinegar.
Hayfield Primary School was also waiting along the route.
When Vernon finally appeared, he was surrounded by supporters, runners, dogs and people trying to take photographs.
Alfie Boe’s message
Alfie Boe recorded a Children in Need version of Bring Him Home for Vernon.
The rewritten performance referred to Kinder Scout, the cold, rain and the extraordinary distance still ahead.
Vernon said the message made him feel better and gave him another emotional lift.
The Birthday Game: Alison
Alison turned 60 and had spent much of the year travelling.
She had married in Mauritius, visited Sicily, travelled through Budapest, Prague, Berlin and Vienna and recently returned from Tenerife.
Her first spin was Feargal Sharkey’s A Good Heart, number one on her birthday in 1985.
Alison liked it but rejected it.
The second was Charles & Eddie’s Would I Lie to You? She chose to continue again.
Her compulsory final song was Busted’s Crashed the Wedding, written by James Bourne and Tom Fletcher.
Alison accepted the result and sent Vernon a message urging him to keep going.
Handover
Scott handed over to Sara Cox after asking listeners to help push the fundraising total towards £2 million.
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