RADIO STAR ON HER

£11.5M CHARITY TRIUMPH Sara Cox... our new national treasure

- BY ALISON JAMES

WITH her drivetime show on Radio 2 and long TV career Sara Cox was already one of our most popular celebrities.

But after last month's gruelling 135-mile, five-day Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children in Need, she is becoming a genuine national treasure.

Sara raised an unbelievable £11.5million and counting, with the nation spurring her on through punishing hills, dismal weather and nagging injuries.

The Prince of Wales was even among her supporters, sending her a message of encouragement.

Sara, 50, did the equivalent of five marathons in five days so not surprisingly it came at a physical price and by the end she couldn't walk.

Her legs and feet were so battered and painful that she needed to force on a pair of Crocs because her feet were too swollen for regular shoes.

Sara says: "It was the maddest, most painful, wonderful thing. While I was doing it, I kept chanting to myself, I am fit, I am strong, I'll be home before too long'.

"And I kept thinking about being in bed with all my dogs and cats with me.

"It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I've never known pain like it but then I've never had eye contact with so many amazing women as I ran along. It powered me on. It was bitterly cold, it was wet and filthy and just so many people came out."

She beams at the memory, adding: "The truck drivers honking their horns, the farmers stopping work to come and say hi, the kids by the side of the road, loads of homemade signs...

"I'm still a bit all over the place but I'm so grateful. It's going to help so many kids. There are children and young people living with chronic pain day in and day out, and I'm grateful that mine is temporary.

"I'm grateful everyone donated so much lovely dosh. It just shows you there's so much good in the world."