BBC Radio 2 announces Paddy McGuinness’s BBC UItra Endurance Cycle Challenge for Children in Need

Paddy McGuinness, who presents on Radio 2 every Sunday morning (11am-1pm), will embark on the biggest endurance ride of his life, cycling through three countries, starting in Wales, continuing through England and finishing in Scotland.

As announced on Vernon Kay’s Radio 2 show this morning, Paddy will embark on his Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge during the Breakfast Show on Monday, November 11, pedalling around 300 miles from Wrexham. The route will take him through eight counties – Flintshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire – including a stop in Preston, where Radio 2 in the Park took place at Moor Park earlier this month – Westmorland, Cumberland, Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire, and he’s aiming to finish in Glasgow on Friday morning, November 15. But Paddy won’t be taking on the challenge on just any bike… he’ll be attempting to complete the route on his iconic BBC Children in Need customised and modified Raleigh Chopper bike.

Along the way he will pass through villages and towns, meeting as many Radio 2 listeners as possible, who will support him and help him raise much-needed funds to improve the lives of children across the UK. The need has never been greater because BBC Children in Need can only help one in eight of the organisations that ask for money.

Paddy says: “I’m going to cycle from Wrexham to Glasgow. That’s 300 miles, eight counties and three countries. There’s no ‘if you don’t like it I won’t cycle’ option! I didn’t have much as a kid and I was so jealous of my friends riding around on those bikes, so I’m really honoured to be supporting BBC Children in Need by pedalling along to raise as much money as possible. After seeing Vernon’s incredible efforts last year… then there’s no pressure!”

Vernon Kay, who raised more than £6million for BBC Children in Need last year with his Ultra ULTRA Marathon, said: “I know exactly what Paddy is going through, so me and the rest of our Radio 2 friends will be supporting him every step of the way, especially on all those hills – oh my!”

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “Paddy is taking on an extraordinary challenge that will benefit the lives of children and young people across the country who are facing significant challenges. The need is greater than ever, but with the public’s support we can continue to ease the burden on hundreds of thousands of children across the UK at a time when they need it most. We’d like to encourage Radio 2 listeners across the country to support Paddy by taking on their own fundraising challenge – whether it’s rollerblading or cycling – I look forward to seeing everyone’s efforts! A huge thank you to Paddy for taking on this challenge and everyone at BBC Children in Need wishes him the best of luck!”

Head of Radio 2, Helen Thomas, said: “Like Vernon’s Ultra ULTRA Marathon last year, this will be a man taking on an extraordinary challenge, especially on a bike designed for style, not endurance! We can only imagine how tough it will be for Paddy to cycle from Wales to England and then Scotland over five days, so I’d like to thank him for accepting this huge challenge. I know our fantastic Radio 2 listeners will be doing everything 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 offering him lots of support, motivating and encouraging him with messages from listeners, whilst broadcasting their regular shows. He will also be joined by a number of surprise guests to help him continue on his challenging journey.

The BBC TV team will follow Paddy every step of the way for a behind-the-scenes documentary on Paddy’s challenge, featuring exclusive footage to air on BBC One in late November. A BBC Studios Entertainment production.

Listeners are being encouraged to support Paddy’s own wheel-based fundraising challenges and will be asked ‘how will you roll?’ Everyone can choose to take part by cycling, scootering, go-karting, rollerblading or rollerblading, on a university bike or – if you’re Jeremy Vine – hopping on your Penny Farthing! Challenge yourself to help lighten children’s lives and sign up at: bbc.co.uk/Pudsey

Paddy’s Ultra Endurance Bike follows in the footsteps of Vernon Kay’s Ultra ULTRA Marathon, which raised over £6m last year; this follows Radio 2’s previous 24 Hour challenges for BBC Children In Need – The Great Scott TreadMills Challenge in 2022, which saw him walk, jog and run on the treadmill for 24 hours, raising over £1.3m; Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco Dance Marathon in 2021, which also raised over £1.3m; Joe Wicks’ 24 Hour PE Challenge in 2020, which raised over £2.5m in 2020; and Rylan’s 24-hour Great Ka-RY-oke Challenge in 2019, which helped Radio 2 raise over £2m for charity.

The Lion King’s Radio 2 Gala performance

This year’s Radio 2 Gala performance to benefit BBC Children In Need is Disney’s The Lion King. It will take place at the Lyceum Theatre in London on Sunday, November 10 at 2.30pm. Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills will host the performance. The multi-award-winning musical, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in the West End this year, features beloved musical numbers such as the Academy Award-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight, as well as the stunning artistry of the design team who created 232 puppets and over 350 costumes specifically for the show. It tells the iconic story of Simba’s epic adventures as he struggles with the responsibilities of adulthood and becomes king. For more information and to book tickets, visit: bbc.co.uk/radio2eventsAs well as organising this Gala performance in support of BBC Children in Need, The Walt Disney Company is donating £50,000 to the charity.

BBC Children in Need believes that every child should have the chance to thrive and be the best they can be. For this to happen, we want every child to have someone to turn to for help or support to overcome the challenges they face. We make sure there is someone who can provide food, clothing and a bed; someone who can talk to a child who is anxious, isolated or grieving; someone who is trained to mentor young people in communities facing inequality, violence or lack of opportunity; and someone who is there for children who have a serious illness, disability or a burden that is too heavy to manage alone. BBC Children in Need supports children in your community. We fund wonderful people in family centres, community spaces, youth clubs and refuges; homeless shelters, hospices and helplines. Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to radio station with a weekly audience of 13.3 million (RAJAR Q2, 2024) and The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show is the UK’s most listened to Breakfast show with 6.4 million listeners (RAJAR Q2, 2024). Vernon Kay (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-12pm) is the host of the UK’s biggest radio show. The network’s presenters include Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Rob Beckett, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, the Revd. Kate Bottley, Rylan, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Jamie Cullum, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Gary Davies, Paul Gambaccini, Mark Goodier, Angela Griffin, Bob Harris, Vernon Kay, Cerys Matthews, Paddy McGuinness, Scott Mills, Jason Mohammad, Trevor Nelson, Dermot O’Leary, Elaine Paige, Mark Radcliffe, Romesh Ranganathan, DJ Spoony, Liza Tarbuck, Jeremy Vine, Michelle Visage, Johnnie Walker, Jo While y, Phil Williams and Owain Wyn Evans.

At the 2024 Audio and Radio Industry Awards, also known as the ARIAs, Scott Mills won Gold for Best Music Entertainment Show, 21st Century Folk won Best Music Special, Windrush 75 presented by Trevor Nelson won Gold for Best Event Coverage and The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show won Bronze for Best Music Breakfast Show. Additionally, Cerys Matthews won the Best Blues Broadcaster Award for the third time at the annual UK Blues Awards, and has now been elected to the UK Blues Hall of Fame.

JM9/SH