Mollie King’s cycle challenge raises £1.3m

BBC Radio 1 presenter Mollie King’s Comic Relief cycling challenge has raised more than £1.3m for the charity.

The former Saturdays singer travelled 500km (311 miles) by bike from London to Hull, where she crossed the finish line on 15 March.

Mollie said it was “an incredibly tough week but one of the most amazing experiences of my life”.

With all donations counted, the final total raised has been revealed as £1,312,558.

Mollie, who had never ridden a bike on a road before she took up the challenge, was waved off at the starting line by fiancé Stuart Broad and their one-year-old daughter Arabella.

She battled through wind and rain along the route, which went via Manchester and Leeds, and was supported by co-host Matt Edmondson.

Listeners praised Mollie for speaking openly about her struggles during the challenge and finding it hard to get back on the bike after some particularly tough days.

Fellow Radio 1 presenters also joined her on parts of the journey, including breakfast show host Greg James.

He was forced to follow Mollie on a tiny scooter through Manchester after listeners managed to pass a fundraising milestone on day four.

And by day five, a crowd welcomed her at the finish line in Victoria Square, Hull, the hometown of Mollie’s dad Stephen.

She completed the challenge in his memory following his death from a brain tumour last year.

As the final total was announced live on air earlier, Mollie said the challenge was a “team effort” and thanked listeners and fellow presenters for their support.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated,” she said.

“I can’t get my head around it. I will never ever forget this.”

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