Hartpury University staff and students supported presenters from both BBC Radio Gloucestershire and BBC Radio Somerset as they prepared and took part in their three-legged race challenge in aid of BBC Children in Need.
Across two preparation visits to Hartpury and during the event itself on 4 and 5 November, presenters Nikki Price (BBC Radio Gloucestershire), and Simon Parkin and Mel Everett (BBC Radio Somerset) received hands-on injury screening, mobility guidance and rehabilitation tips from BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy students and academic staff. Each session was designed to build the presenters’ confidence, improve their movement technique and help them take on the challenge safely and successfully.
During the BBC Radio Gloucestershire visit, Nikki Price took part in injury and medical screening, a practical mobility session in Hartpury’s new Sports Therapy Suite, working with students to try preventative exercises using the MoveWell kit. These included a glute release with the peanut and a progressed banded bridge, demonstrating the applied and evidence-informed skills students develop throughout their degree.
Students also contributed to a pre-recorded radio segment, sharing advice on back mobility and discussing how their studies prepare them for careers in sports therapy including musculoskeletal assessment, rehabilitation and clinical practice. This provided valuable real-world communication and media experience.
Presenters from both stations then explored three-legged walking gait analysis and rehabilitation principles inside Hartpury’s specialist sport and exercise science laboratories. These sessions highlighted the sport science expertise and world-class facilities underpinning the Sports Therapy programme.
Each visit encompassed three-legged walking practice with coaching tips on coordination, technique and safe transitions, all essential skills for completing the challenge effectively. The energetic attempts made the sessions great fun, whilst reinforcing the importance of preparation and recovering for such an important fundraising challenge.
The sports therapy expertise provided by the academic team and undergraduate students played an important role in helping all three presenters in preparation.
During the event itself, academic staff and students supported the presenters with warm-up and recovery, helping them to complete their challenges at Kingsholm and Bourton on the Water (BBC Radio Gloucestershire) and Yeovil and Bridgwater (BBC Radio Somerset).
The collaboration showcased Hartpury’s strengths as a leader in applied sport and therapy education, recognised through its award for Specialist University of the Year 2026 (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide).
