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BBC NI presenters finish three-legged challenge for Children In Need

Mark SimpsonCommunity correspondent, BBC News NI
News imageBBC Pudsey bear, a yellow bear with a spotty eyepatch alongside Cate Conway, who has light hair. She is wearing yellow bear ears and a black, she is beside Conor Phillips who has dark hair. He is wearing a yellow top and holding a microphone. All three are at a BBC finish line surrounding by on lookers, flags and yellow smoke from flares. BBC
Connor Phillips and Cate Conway walked 25 miles from Portadown to Newry to raise money for Children In Need

BBC Radio Ulster presenters Connor Phillips and Cate Conway have completed a 25-mile challenge in aid of Children In Need.

They crossed the finishing line at Newry Showgrounds to cheers from dozens of local school children who formed a guard of honour.

They included pupils from St Peter's Primary and players from Newry City FC youth teams.

Phillips was broadcasting live on his afternoon show on Radio Ulster as he crossed the finishing line with Conway.

News imagePudsey bear, a yellow bear with a spotty eyepatch alongside Cate Conway, who has light hair. She is wearing yellow bear ears and a grey top, she is beside Conor Phillips who has dark hair. He is wearing yellow bear ears a yellow top.
Last year Connor Phillips and Cate Conway were part of a 1,000 mile swimming challenge to raise money for Children In Need

The radio presenters were part of a 1,000 mile swimming challenge last year.

The challenge began before sunrise on Tuesday in Portadown with the help of the Armagh Ramblers who came to support the walk.

Phillips and Conway still presented their daily radio programmes while on their travels.

They walked three-legged with a variety of different people during the two-day challenge.

News imagePudsey bear, a yellow bear with a spotty eyepatch alongside Cate Conway, who has light hair. She is wearing a white beanie hat with a light fuzzy bobble on top and holding a pudsey bear, a yellow bear with a spotty eyepatch, she is beside Conor Phillips who has dark hair. He is wearing headphones and holding a mic up to Cate, he is wearing a yellow top aswell.
Connor and Cate are still presented their daily radio programmes while on their travels

Conway, who presents the mid-morning slot on Radio Ulster with Vinny Hurrell, had been worried about cold weather but has enjoyed the challenge.

She said: "It's unbelievable. I've loved every second of it."

There was a rapturous reception from local people in Poyntzpass, County Armagh, with primary school children and sports clubs offering plenty of support.

This year's BBC Children in Need show is live on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer from 19:00 GMT on Friday 14 November.

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Connor Phillips and Holly Hamilton will bring an update from Northern Ireland on the night, in a programme that airs at 22:40 on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer.

Last year's national 'on the night' total was £39.2 million and the overall fundraising total for the 2024 appeal was £52 million.

In Northern Ireland, BBC Children in Need currently gives 141 grants to local projects to the value of £5.5m.

In the last year, it supported 21,000 children and young people.