Chris Kamara to take on Children in Need challenge

Former footballer Chris Kamara is to join schoolchildren in a running challenge for Children in Need as he continues his fitness journey after being diagnosed with apraxia.

The former Bradford City player and manager, who is also a sports broadcaster, said he had to relearn how to run after being diagnosed with the neurological condition which has affected his speech, balance and movement.

Kamara completed the Great North Run in September and now hopes to compete in the London Marathon next year.

For the Children in Need challenge he will join retired Olympian Jonny Brownlee to help children at Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate run a collective 500 miles in just four hours on 10 November.

The challenge is part of Run for Pudsey, a fundraising initiative designed to engage schools across the UK in undertaking a physical challenge to raise money for Children in Need.

Kammy, 68, said: "We don't see loads and loads of kids out playing football these days... we see them on their computers and iPads... anything that encourages them to get outside and do stuff is so important".

He said despite running not being easy for him he is keen to help out with the challenge.

Pupils at Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate asked Brownlee, a six-time triathlon world champion, to join their fundraising efforts by recording a video message for him - and he accepted.

BBC Radio Leeds will broadcast live from the Wakefield school's playground during the event, which will see every child at the school take part to raise money for the BBC charity.

They are not the only ones taking on a challenge, as BBC Look North presenter Amy Garcia and Lindsey Burrow, wife of the late rugby league legend Rob Burrow, are doing their own.

The pair are preparing for the Push for Pudsey, where they will push the show's red sofa 80 miles across Yorkshire over five days, running from 9 to 13 November.

Kamara said due to his diagnosis of apraxia and dyspraxia, when he runs on hilly terrain he can lose his balance.

Despite this, he took on the Great North Run "after not doing anything for six years".

During his training, he suffered multiple injures including a torn hamstring - and not long ater crossing the finish line, his legs gave way and he collapsed.

He said it felt really important to be part of the fundraiser and to do something for Children in Need.

He said running has helped him be more open and speak up when he is struggling or in pain.

"That's the only way to healing, it's the most important thing and that's the first step," he said.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.