Paddy McGuinness to cycle from Wales to Scotland for Children in Need

BBC Radio 2 presenter Paddy McGuinness is planning to cycle through three nations – Wales, England and Scotland – to raise money for BBC Children in Need.

Paddy will start his Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge during the Breakfast Show on Monday 11th November and will pedal almost 300 miles, starting in Wrexham.

The route will take him through eight counties – Flintshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire – including a stop at Preston – then onto Westmorland, Cumberland, Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire, and he is aiming to finish at on Friday 15th November morning in Glasgow.

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!”

The event was announced during Vernon Kay’s morning show this week. Vernon, who raised over £6 million last year for BBC Children in Need with his Ultra ULTRA Marathon, said: “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’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. Plus 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.