Thousands of people turned out to cheer on Paddy McGuiness as he rode through Cumbria on a chopper.
The Radio 2 presenter’s Ultra Cycling Challenge saw him set off from Wrexham on a bid to cycle through three nations over five days, covering 300 miles, on a customised chopper bike for Children in Need.
He arrived in Kendal on Tuesday night and began again yesterday morning from the Cumbrian town, where Hornblower Councillor Jonathan Cornthwaite, mayor of Kendal, set him on his way.
As he reached Shap – the biggest summit of the challenge – at daylight, he was given the news that he had raised over £1 million.
Here are your photos from Paddy’s time in Cumbria:
After covering 67 miles yesterday, he arrived in Ecclefechan. This morning, the total stands at £2.5 million.
Businessman Tom Hunter, who used to sell choppers, pledged that the Tom Hunter Foundation would match donations to the challenge, He said: “If any members of the Great British public want to make a donation, be it £5 – the Hunter Foundation will donate £5 as well. If they want to donate £50, their donation becomes £100. We’re going to do that, right up to £2 million.”
The news of the match in donations was given to Paddy at the historic Old Toll Bar, know as the first and last house of Scotland, at Gretna Green.
He arrived to the sound of bagpipes and a large gathering of cheering enthusiastic supporters.
During a live BBC2 broadcast from the Old Toll Bar, Sir Tom Hunter of the Hunter Foundation announced the extraordinary pledge to match donations up to £2 million – which brought Paddy to tears.
He then joined the Gretna Green team and supporters for photos and warm exchanges.
John Holliday, chairman of Gretna Green,said: “This visit highlighted both Mr. McGuinness’s unwavering commitment and the enduring charitable spirit that unites us all. We wish him continued strength as he completes this inspirational journey.”
Paddy said last night: “It’s been a really emotional day. I feel as though my body’s completely broken but weirdly I feel the best I’ve felt since I’ve started.
“It’s been one of those days, it’s been emotion after emotion, wave after wave but we’ve got there we’ve got to the end.”
