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PADDY McGuinness has kicked of a challenge of a lifetime, and it's all in the name of charity.

The popular TV star is doing an Ultra Endurance Cycling Challenge for BBC Children in Need. Here we take a look at how you can follow him on this incredible journey.

Paddy McGuinness is cycling 300 miles for Children In Need
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Paddy McGuinness is cycling 300 miles for Children In NeedCredit: Instagram

On November 11, 2024, BBC Radio 2 presenter Paddy McGuinness kicked off his Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge for Children in Need’s 2024 Appeal.

This enormous feat sees him cycle 300 miles through three nations and eight counties.

The presenter is completing his bike ride on a customised and modified Raleigh Chopper - a bicycle popular with kids in the 1970s.

Paddy said he feelt "honoured" to be taking on this incredible challenge for Children In Need.

Read more on Children In Need

Speaking to the BBC, he said: "As a kid, I didn’t have much and used to be really jealous of my mates riding around on those (Raleigh Chopper) bikes.

"So I’m really honoured to support BBC Children in Need by getting pedalling to raise as much money as possible for the charity.

Adding his famous Take Me Out catchphrase, Paddy quipped: "No likey, no bikey, just isn’t an option."

You can donate to Paddy’s Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge using the 70710 short code - text the word ‘FIVE’ to donate £5, 'TEN’ to donate £10 and so on.

The route for Paddy's cycle challenge

Paddy started his enormous bike ride from Wrexham football club.

Posting a picture from the stadium, the TV star wrote: "Early start at the mighty @wrexham_afc this morning but what a send off!!!"

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He is cycling through Flintshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire.

Paddy aims to finish the challenge on Friday morning, November 15, 2024, in Glasgow, which is the day of the Children In Need telethon.

Keeping track of Paddy's cycle challenge

Paddy’s Ultra Endurance Cycle is being broadcast live on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, with video highlights and more coverage on social media.

During the challenge, presenters are broadcasting their regular shows whilst offering him lots of support, keeping him motivated and spurred on with messages from the listeners.

He is being joined on his journey by a host of surprise guests to help keep him going, which has already included Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy.

A BBC TV crew is also following Paddy every pedal of the way for a behind-the-scenes documentary about his challenge to be broadcast on BBC One later in November 2024 (with an exact date to be announced).

How to donate to Children In Need

Children In Need is the BBC's UK charity which aims to support disadvantaged children and young people.

Since it began the annual televised appeals have raised a whopping £1.5billion over the years since 1980.

Here's how you can donate to this incredible cause:

Online: Donate through the .

Text: Text a keyword to a short code to donate - 70701: Text "FIVE" to donate £5, "TEN" to donate £10, and so on.

Phone: You can donate by credit or debit card on the Children in Need donation line on 0345 7 33 22 33.

Cheque: Send a cheque, postal order, or CAF voucher made payable to "BBC Children in Need" to:

BBC Children in Need Appeal
MediaCityUK
Salford
M50 2BH

Post Office: Donate by cash, card, or cheque at thousands of Post Office branches.

Fundraising: If you want to help out you can get a .

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