Hot on the heels of Vernon Kay fellow Bolton TV and radio presenter Paddy McGuinness will be undertaking an ultimate endurance challenge for Children in Need. Vernon won the hearts of the nation after completing a 116 mile run to his beloved Bolton from Leicester last year and now fellow Radio 2 presenter Paddy is gearing up for a cycle ride through three nations, starting in Wales, travelling through England and finishing in Scotland — on a iconic BBC Children in Need customised Raleigh Chopper bike. Paddy will start his Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge during the Breakfast Show on Monday, November 11 and will pedal almost 300 miles, starting in Wrexham.
Picture credit: BBC The route will take him through eight counties – Flintshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire - including a stop at Preston, where Radio 2 in the Park took place in Moor Park earlier this month – onto Westmorland, Cumberland, Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire, and he is aiming to finish at on Friday, November 15 November morning in Glasgow. Paddy will be passing through and stopping off at villages and towns along the way to meet as many Radio 2 listeners as possible as they cheer him on and help him to raise much needed funds that will help make life lighter for children across the UK. The need has never been greater as right now BBC Children in Need is only able to help one in eight of the organisations who ask for money.
Paddy said : “I’ll be cycling from Wrexham to Glasgow. That’s 300 miles, eight counties and three nations. ‘No likey, no bikey’ just isn’t an option! As a kid, I didn’t have much and used to be really jealous of my mates riding around on those bikes, so I’m really honoured to support BBC Children in Need by getting peddling to raise as much money as possible for the charity.
After seeing Vernon’s incredible efforts last year...
no pressure then!” READ MORE: Vernon Kay in pictures as he arrives in Bolton, his hometown Paddy McGuinness appears on Who Do You Think You Are Vernon, who raised more than £6 million last year for BBC Children in Need with his Ultra ultra marathon, added: “I know exactly what Paddy will be going through so I and the rest of our Radio 2 buddies will be supporting him every pedal of the way, especially up all those hills - ouch!” Paddy and Vernon. Credit BBC Simon Antrobus, BBC Children in Need Chief Executive said: “Paddy is taking on an extraordinary challenge which will help benefit the lives of children and young people across the country who are facing significant challenges. Right now, the need is greater than ever, but with the support of the public we can continue to lighten the load for hundreds of thousands of children across the UK when they need it most.
We’re encouraging Radio 2 listeners across the country to support Paddy by taking on their own fundraising challenge too – whether that’s by roller skating or cycling – I look forward to seeing everyone’s efforts! A huge thank you to Paddy for taking on this challenge, everyone here at BBC Children in Need wishes him the best of luck!” Paddy and Vernon. Credit: BBC Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “As with Vernon’s Ultra ULTRA Marathon last year, this is one man attempting to do an extraordinary challenge, not least as he’ll be on a bike which is designed for style not endurance cycling! We can only imagine how hard it is going to be for Paddy to cycle from Wales into England then onto Scotland over five days, so I’d like to thank him for agreeing to take on this mammoth challenge. I know the amazing Radio 2 listeners will do all they can to support him along the way!” Paddy’s Ultra Endurance Cycle will be broadcast live on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, with video highlights and further coverage on Radio 2’s social media accounts.
During the challenge, Radio 2 presenters will be broadcasting their regular shows whilst offering him lots of support, keeping him motivated and spurred on with messages from the listeners. He will also be joined on his arduous journey by a host of surprise guests to help keep him going. A BBC TV crew will be following Paddy every pedal of the way for a behind-the-scenes documentary about his challenge featuring exclusive footage to be broadcast on BBC One later in November.
A BBC Studios Entertainment production. Listeners are encouraged to get behind Paddy with their own wheel-based fundraising challenges– and will be asked ‘how will you roll’? Anyone can choose to take part by cycling, scootering, go-karting, roller skating or blading, uni cycling or - if you’re Jeremy Vine - jumping on your Penny Farthing! Challenge yourself to help make life lighter for children and sign up at bbc.co.
uk/Pudsey.
