Mollie King was supported by her fiancé Stuart Broad and their daughter Annabella as she kicked off her 500km solo cycling challenge for Red Nose Day on Monday.
The BBC Radio 1 presenter, 36, take to the saddle for five exhausting days as she cycles from London to her late father’s hometown of Hull, a place close to her heart.
Mollie lost her dad beloved dad Stephen from a brain tumour in November 2022 – just days after she welcomed her baby daughter Annabella with Stuart, 37.
Beginning her challenge at Television Centre in London, the singer hugged her family before setting off on her journey.
Former English cricketer Stuart and Annabella were seen clutching on to a sign which read ‘Go Mummy.’
Mollie King, 36, was supported by her fiancé Stuart Broad, 37, and their daughter Annabella, 16-months, as she kicked off her 500km solo cycling challenge for Red Nose Day on Monday
Former English cricketer Stuart and Annabella were seen clutching on to a sign which read ‘Go Mummy’
The challenge kicked off during the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Greg James.
Molly said: ‘Today I start my weeklong journey cycling from London to Hull, via Manchester – we wanted to throw in some extra miles!
‘It’s going to be an almighty challenge, six -weeks ago I had never cycled on a road and today is the day I make my way to Hull.
‘I’ve been so nervous over the last few days, but I can’t wait to get going and I know that I have the Radio 1 listeners behind me as well as my amazing friends and family.
Knowing that this journey will make such a difference to so many people will help keep me going to that finish line’.
She added: ‘I unexpectedly lost my dad, just over a year ago, he was unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumour and we lost him just three-months later.
‘So, the reason for me doing this challenge is because I want to support people who are struggling, people who are hurting. Just anything at all, if I can possibly raise money then that is what I am doing this for.’
Matt Edmondson, Radio 1 presenter and Mollie’s co-host said: ‘I’ll be travelling alongside Mollie, encouraging her when times get tough and providing all the latest updates from the road.’
The former Saturdays singer lost her dad beloved dad Stephen – just days after she welcomed her baby daughter Annabella with partner Stuart
The BBC Radio 1 presenter take to the saddle for five exhausting days as she cycles from London to her late father’s hometown of Hull , a place close to her heart
Beginning her challenge at Television Centre in London, the singer hugged her family before setting off on her journey
The challenge kicked off during the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Greg James
She was also joined by Melvin O’Doom
The week ahead will see Mollie pedal through the streets of Towcester, Burton-upon-Trent, Manchester and Leeds as she battles both physically and mentally to reach the finish line
He continued: ‘This week, she’s going to be spreading her magnetic energy throughout the UK, in a way that only Mollie can do.
‘She really wants to help people and her reason for this is so close to her heart. To set off on this challenge a year after losing her dad is extraordinary, she wants to raise money and will need our support and motivation to get her all the way to Hull’.
Greg James added: ‘Mollie will have a love affair with this bike, she’ll want to throw it into a ditch but will guard it with her life at the same time! It’s going to be a life changing experience in the most positive way.
‘My main advice is to take it all in. There are so many people supporting Mollie and we are all behind her on this epic adventure.’
Mollie was joined by her co-host Matt, friends, and family as she departs from central London and begins her mammoth journey north.
The week ahead will see Mollie pedal through the streets of Towcester, Burton-upon-Trent, Manchester and Leeds as she battles both physically and mentally to reach the finish line.
For someone who has never ridden a bike on the road, it’s certainly not going to be an easy ride.
Mollie’s stamina, spirit and strength will be tested like never before as she tackles the unpredictable great British weather while navigating winding country roads, the twists and turns of the Peak District, and busy city centres.
On her journey, Mollie will pass through villages, towns and cities where Comic Relief funded projects are providing essential support to people who need it most.
Radio 1 will be getting behind Mollie throughout the week, offering lots of support and keeping her motivated with messages of encouragement from listeners.
She will also be joined along the route by special guests. Radio 1 listeners can also contribute to special surprises to help Mollie keep pushing on when it’s getting tough and raise as much money as possible for Red Nose Day.
Discussing the challenge, Mollie said: ‘I can’t believe I’m going to be taking on this incredible challenge. The closer the start date gets the more daunting it’s becoming.
In August 2022 Stephen was diagnosed with a brain tumour and sadly died just three months later
For someone who has never ridden a bike on the road, it’s certainly not going to be an easy ride
Mollie’s stamina, spirit and strength will be tested like never before as she tackles the unpredictable great British weather while navigating winding country roads and city centres
‘I’ve been training for the last few weeks on an exercise bike and learning how to cycle on the road too, it’s been an incredibly steep learning curve.
‘I haven’t been able to exercise much since having my daughter, a year ago, so even getting back into the training is pushing me harder than I thought it would!’
She added: ‘I know the wonderful support from our fantastic Radio 1 listeners and my fellow presenters is definitely going to give me a boost when I’m feeling absolutely exhausted.
‘I know they’ll keep me going and I’ll be constantly thinking of the finish line in Hull, which was such an important place to me and my dad.
‘I know that he would be immensely proud that I am doing this for such a great cause. I’m going to give it absolutely everything and do my best for Comic Relief and the brilliant projects they support across the UK and around the world.’
Matt Edmondson, Radio 1 presenter and Mollie’s co-host said: ‘Mollie is my best friend in the whole world, and one of the most strong and determined people I’ve ever met.
‘Nevertheless, this challenge would push absolutely anyone beyond breaking point, so I’m in awe of her courage and ridiculously grateful that she’ll have all of the Radio 1 listeners supporting her through the literal highs and lows of this epic challenge.
‘I’ll be there too, reporting back on her progress, cheering her on and making bad jokes to try and distract her from the pain.’
Aled Haydn-Jones, Head of BBC Radio 1 added: ‘We’re so excited to follow Mollie on this challenge! We’re right behind her at Radio 1 and support every pedal of the journey.
‘We know it won’t be easy, but she will smash it as she always does. Good luck Mollie!’
Mollie King’s Pedal Power for Red Nose Day on Radio 1 will be broadcast live on Radio 1, BBC Morning Live and BBC Sounds across the week, with video highlights on Radio 1’s social channels.
The money raised for Mollie King’s Pedal Power for Red Nose Day on Radio 1 could help break the cycle of poverty for people in UK and around the world.
This includes support for children and young people who are experiencing neglect, abuse, stigma and physical and mental trauma.
Following her father’s death, Mollie revealed he had held on ‘a few extra days’ so he could meet his new granddaughter.
On her journey, Mollie will pass through villages, towns and cities where Comic Relief funded projects are providing essential support to people who need it most
Radio 1 will be getting behind Mollie throughout the week, offering lots of support and keeping her motivated with messages of encouragement from listeners
Discussing the challenge, Mollie said: ‘I can’t believe I’m going to be taking on this incredible challenge. The closer the start date gets the more daunting it’s becoming’
The money raised for Mollie King’s Pedal Power for Red Nose Day on Radio 1 could help break the cycle of poverty for people in UK and around the world
Confirming his passing in November 2022, she wrote: ‘Heartbroken beyond words. In August, my family’s world was shattered when my Dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Last week, we had to face the day we hoped would never come and say goodbye.
‘Dad, we love you with all our hearts and we will miss you every single day. You have been our hero and it’s impossible to think of our lives without you.
‘You have always been there for us with every step we’ve taken and you even held on a few extra days to meet baby Annabella.
‘You gave us your everything. You will be in our hearts and our memories every single day.’