We're wrapping up our live coverage of Vernon's Ultra Ultramarathon challenge now, a huge thank you to everyone who's followed our updates and supported Vernon with a donation - don't forget there's still time to donate. All the details can be found on the previous post.

As Vernon celebrates reaching his ultimate final summit, we salute him with some of the highlights you may have missed from the last four days, starting all the way back on Tuesday...

Flapjacks hysteria

Nothing quite summed up the challenge like Jeremy Vine pausing a Radio 2 news bulletin on Tuesday afternoon to ensure Vernon was handed a tray of flapjacks by listener Dawn from Belton (not Bolton).

Such was the jeopardy at stake when 1pm approached and Vernon was only 600m away from his pit stop. The news simply had to wait.

Finally, Vernon appeared on air with the message everyone wanted to hear: “Hello Jeremy, we’ve got the flapjacks!”

Kay Vernon meets Vernon Kay

We know Vernon loves his listeners, and few bring him as much joy as Kay Vernon, a near-namesake who regularly appears on the show. But he’s never met her in person - until now.

To help kickstart day two, Vernon was greeted by the one and only Kay Vernon at the start line, to fire off the Wednesday horn.

Having been stood near her for several minutes before being told who she was, Vernon’s reaction was priceless. “OH NO WAY!”

Barbara’s message brings the tears

Vernon vowed he wouldn’t cry until Friday, but when you need to sob, you need to sob.

Taking a quick rest on Day 2, it was a message from listener Barbara that had our Vernon in floods of tears.

He’d received a letter from Barbara shortly after he started hosting his 9.30am-12pm Radio 2 show earlier this year, thanking him for “bringing an old lady into the light.” The message stayed with him, and as soon as he heard her name read out on air, the tears started pouring.

“Just lift up those feet and keep going,” read Barbara’s message. “I’m sending you lots of hugs.”

£1 million raised before the halfway mark!

Vernon didn’t set himself any fundraising target at the start of the challenge, but he was bowled over by the news he’d raised over £1 million at the end of Day 2.

Jo Whiley revealed he’d raised £1,224,533, and Vernon was so overjoyed he almost missed the second half of her announcement. “Sorry Jo, all I heard was a million.”

“NO WAY!” He said upon hearing the full total. “I’m going to need a sit down. That’s unbelievable.”

“Do what your mum says!” - Vernon's parents have a word

Our heart warmed when a message from Vernon’s parents Gladys and Norman arrived at the end of day two.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Gladys declared: “All this love and support you're getting is getting to me. I'm so so proud,” before adding: “Give my love to all those people who are around you who are keeping you standing up.”

Norman was more to the point. “Do what your mum says, she's the boss. I told you to walk it though.”

A Kinder surprise

The highest peak of Vernon’s challenge was a summit up Kinder Scout in the Peak District.

When Zoe checked in with Vernon on Day 3, he assumed he’d been there done that, and casually announced: “We’ve just done the summit, that was a real thigh-burner.”

Vernon had to be gently informed that he had a long way to go and that he’d merely reached the “baby peak” of Kinder.

“We’ve got more to do? Oh, you are kidding me! You are having a laugh! You’ve done me there, you lot.” He took the whole thing in his stride though.

Vernon hits - and gets past - the wall

“Sorry fellas, I’m just gonna have a cry,” said Vernon on day 3, his toughest stage.

But it wasn’t because he’d been led astray about Kinder Scout’s “peak”, it was because he was emotionally overwhelmed by just how many people he’d seen on the road.

“It’s because of the people you meet along the route. Lots of people are opening up and telling me stuff, and you realise some people have it worse than us.”

Thanks to those people, however, he quickly managed to smash through the wall and dust himself off for the last leg.

The Flask Lady is found

A rolling narrative of the challenge was Vernon’s mission to find the identity of a woman who’d handed him a delicious flask of vegetable soup.

Such was his enthusiasm at being handed the nutritious mid-run snack, he sped off - flask in hand - and forgot to ask for her name.

The following day, Heather from Bakewell revealed herself as the mysterious soup-shifter, and we could all breathe a sigh of relief…

And when she chatted to Jeremy Vine we discovered the big-hearted blender’s generosity didn't stop at soup sharing – she asked for the flask to be donated to charity.

The generous spirit of YOU, the listeners, keeps Vernon running

From the moment Vernon set off, it became an emotional challenge, as he met thousands of people around the UK who were all out to welcome him.

He heard their stories, they shared their generosity, and he’s finished the run a different man to the one who left Leicester’s Victoria Park on Tuesday.

As every minute passed, it was hard not to get teary witnessing just how many people had turned out to clap Vernon, shout messages of support from the sidelines, and even join our willing runner for a mile or two.

This video sums it up:

Vernon arrives home to a hero’s welcome

This is what the challenge was all about - journeying from Leicester to Bolton Wanderers’ football stadium and raising over £4 million for BBC Children in Need along the way.

Vernon’s last lap saw him greeted by Zoe Ball and hundreds of listeners - including the wonderful Barbara.

"Physically, mentally, there’s nothing in the tank." he declared after reaching the finish line, with parents Gladys and Norman watching on. "Is there anyone here who can replace a knee?"

Vernon Kay has finished his epic 115 mile+ journey but it's not too late if you'd like to support his incredible efforts by donating to BBC Children in Need.

If you want to support him with a text donation, you can do so - find all the details below and at bbc.co.uk/vernon

The money raised by Vernon's Ultra Ultramarathon Challenge continues to grow - and has now topped £4.3 million!

And you can still make a donation - all the details of how to support Vernon can be found in the next post up.

Watch BBC Children in Need, from 7pm tonight on BBC One, for the next update on the grand total

A very tender moment as Vernon finally arrives at the Bolton Wanderer's stadium and is able to give his wonderful mum Gladys a big hug.

Zoe Ball: "There's not a dry eye in the house."

Tess Daly: "Give him a massive squeeze from me Gladys!❤️❤️"

Vernon's dad Norman admitted to Zoe Ball earlier that he wasn't sure if Vernon was going to make it - particularly after hearing him speaking to Scott Mills yesterday afternoon.

"He's had a good team behind hasn't he? They've looked after him. It's not just him, good luck to all the people who were with him as well because they've had to go through it as well."

A huge well done to all the team out and about supporting Vernon along the way!

Vernon has successfully completed his Ultra Ultramarathon challenge, but we've still got some highlights from his final day to bring you...

You could feel the excitement in the air earlier this morning as the students of St. Joseph's gathered to see one of their school's finest exports. There was even a reunion of the class of 1990 as some of Vernon's old school mates had come to congratulate him on his epic challenge.

When he finally arrived they were absolutely ecstatic to see their man Vernon pass through the school gates once again.

And while at his old school, before heading onto his final destination, he learned the news that his efforts had at that point raised a massive £3.7 million (it would top £4 million by the time he crossed the finish line)

There was a whole load of activity brewing in The Toughsheet Community Stadium today, in anticipation of Bolton's hometown hero Mr. Vernon Kay!

Here are some photo and video highlights from earlier this morning...

He is absolutely overwhelmed to hear you've raised £4,014,362.

A staggering amount. Wow!

A reminder that even after Vernon's finished, you can still donate to support Children in Need. All the details can be found in earlier posts or on the sidebar of this page.

Vernon Kay
Radio 2's Ultra Ultramarathon Man

I’m absolutely exhausted, absolutely spent. Physically, mentally, there’s nothing in the tank. Is there anyone here who can replace a knee?

It’s been one of the most painful and joyous experiences I’ve ever had. We’ve met some brilliant people who’ve donated all they can.

Just one foot in front of the other, that’s what it was.

And we had a great team pushing me along, motivating me. Thanks to the gang.

Zoe Ball
Presenter, BBC Radio 2

He’s climbed mountains, he’s gone through ditches, he’s greeted people along the way. He’s made us all cry. And our boy has done it!

Vernon’s home!

He's just crossed the finish line!

His Ultra Ultramarathon Challenge is complete.

Leicester to Bolton - powered only by his own two feet - in just over three days.

All to raise a whole load of money for BBC Children in Need.

Well done Vernon!

Gladys Kay
Vernon Kay's mum

What’s got to me the most is all these people showing him all this affection. And I’m his mother and I know he deserves it.

Vernon's parents are awaiting his hugely anticipated arrival at Bolton Wanderers' football stadium. He should be there soon. Expect an emotional family reunion. Uncle Ernie is in attendance as well!

You have raised £3,750,475 so far 🤯 - we cannot thank you enough.

Vernon's body might be breaking, but this is exactly the kind of news that will help him get to the finish line. "Oh my goodness me," he said upon hearing the latest total.

Thank you so much to everyone who's made a donation!

Zoe Ball caught up with Phoenix, a young boy who has been supported by Children In Need. He attends Snaps, a charity supporting children with additional needs and their families.

Phoenix, who has cerebral palsy, won the crowd over very quickly and couldn't believe he was going to meet Vernon later.

Phoenix "I like his gameshows!"

Zoe "Yeah his gameshow is very good, we need more Vernon on telly don't we?"

Phoenix "Yeah, you don't see him much on telly now do you?"

You can always count on kids to keep you in check!

Here's Vernon arriving at a pit stop earlier this morning, just 8 miles away from the finish line. With Steve the Bucket, who's becoming a bit of a cult hero during this challenge!

For the last of our day-by-day looks at Vernon's Ultra Ultramarathon challenge, we reach Thursday.

Billed as the highest day of his challenge, it certainly proved to be the toughest. It all started fairly promisingly when he thought he'd conquered the big target of the day, reaching the peak of Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District before The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show had even ended. Except it turned out he hadn't...

While physically it was all uphill for Vernon for the next few hours, his mood was heading in the opposite direction. After finally reaching the top of Kinder Scout for real, he was met with the news that due to treacherous conditions he'd have to change his route back down the other side, adding more time and another mile to his journey.

Despite this setback, Vernon pressed on, meeting Radio 2's OJ Borg and Phil Williams along the way, and finished the day back on a high with a whopping £2.7million banked for Children in Need.

Watch the video below for some Day 3 highlights...

Watch Vernon's reaction as Zoe announces he's raised over £3million for BBC Children in Need, so far.

The end is in sight now Vern, you've got this! Bolton awaits ❤️