Paddy McGuinness' Children in Need cycling route map, tracker and how to donate and support

Comedian and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness is taking part in a grueling 300-mile cycling challenge to help raise cash for Children in Need.

The Take Me Out host is travelling from Wrexham in Wales to the finish line in Glasgow, Scotland, on his dream childhood bike, the Raleigh Chopper.

He started the challenge on Monday during the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show and hopes to make the finish line by Friday morning. Paddy said he was motivated by taking part in the challenge by the people he has met who have benefited from money raised by Children In Need.

READ MORE: When BBC Children's in Need 2024 is on TV

He said: "I’ve been to a place called the Seashell Trust, which is a project up near me which Children In Need fund, and I’ve met a young lady called Grace who’s come through her cancer battle.

“She’s on the other side of that, and she’s taking on her own challenge as well.

“And when you meet these people… that’s what spurs you on, and when you see the work that’s being done in and around it, and again, when you’re out and about, just people stopping me.

“I did a gig last night – I’m just on tour at the minute – I came off, I finished the show in Milton Keynes, and when people are applauding at the end and they’re standing up, a fella just ran to the front and handed me a wad of cash, and he gave me £880.

“Literally, I’m still on stage, getting applause and stuff, and he was shouting: ‘Children In Need, it’s for Children In Need’. And I was like, ‘That’s so amazing’, you know? So things like that happening is what spur you on.”

Before getting in the saddle Paddy got some expert advice from cycling legend and Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy. He said: "Chris Hoy has been absolutely, as you can imagine with some like him, outstanding, first class, brilliant with his advice.

"I really feel as though everyone’s got behind me on this, and just wants me to do it, so they’re giving me as much help as possible. But it’s been an eye-opener certainly.”

Paddy added: “When I go on a bike ride with Chris, I really know about it, because he pushes me to my absolute limits.”

Paddy McGuinness cycling challenge route map

Paddy's five-day bike ride will take him through Flintshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire.

Here is a full map of his route. You can follow his live tracker here.

How to donate and support Paddy

You can donate to Children in Need and support Paddy's challenge by pledging money on the Children in Need website here.

BBC Children In Need will air at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on November 15.

A behind-the-scenes documentary showcasing McGuinness’s journey called Paddy: The Ride of My Life will air on November 19 from 8-9pm on BBC One.