BBC Morning Live returned on March 3, 2023, with a poignant episode focusing on the annual fundraising initiative, Children In Need. Hosts Kym Marsh and Ugo Monye highlighted various events across the country aimed at supporting children facing adversity, including Sara Cox’s Great Northern Marathon challenge.
The episode featured special guest Alex Jones from The One Show, who discussed the challenges faced by young people involved in the programme’s Challenge Squad. These young individuals strive to overcome personal obstacles while raising funds for Children In Need. Among the stories shared was that of Spencer, a 10-year-old carer who has been looking after his single father since the age of five.
Spencer’s father, a former Army serviceman, was medically discharged due to a degenerative disc disease. He recounted a touching moment when Spencer, then just four years old, insisted on tidying their home. “As lovely as it was knowing my son wanted to help, it was heartbreaking,” he said, acknowledging the weight of responsibility that fell on such young shoulders.
During the broadcast, Spencer expressed his worries for his father. “When I play out, I feel my dad might need me, so I go in sometimes,” he explained. The Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Young Carers Group has provided support to Spencer, thanks to contributions from Children In Need donations.
As the segment concluded, Ugo struggled to maintain his composure. Kym, noticing his emotional state, asked, “Are you ok?” After taking a deep breath, Ugo responded, “Yeah. Spencer’s absolutely amazing and it just underlines exactly why we need it (Children In Need).”
Addressing Parental Concerns Over Technology
In a separate segment, Alex Jones shared a personal concern regarding the impact of digital devices on children. Reflecting on the pressure parents face in today’s technology-driven world, she discussed a family decision to limit screen time for their children. Alex and her husband, Charlie Thomson, are parents to three young children: eight-year-old Teddy, six-year-old Kit, and four-year-old Annie.
“We went to a talk about a charity called Smartphone Free Childhood,” Alex shared. “My husband and I thought we would understand their concerns, but we had the shock of our lives. From that moment on, we just banned iPads and phones in our house.” She admitted that this issue is a significant worry for her, stating, “It keeps me awake at night, actually, more than anything else.”
The episode of Morning Live is available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, continuing to engage audiences with heartfelt stories and discussions that resonate widely.
