This morning at 6.45am, Paddy set off for the final 18.5 miles of his incredible cycling challenge, completing almost 300 miles from Wrexham to Glasgow across five days, through Wales, England and Scotland. all on his little Raleigh Chopper which he’s nicknamed Patch!
The journey has seen Paddy travel through cities towns and villages with crowds coming out to cheer Paddy along.
On Wednesday Paddy travelled through Cumbria with crowds lining the streets through Penrith despite a delay to the original time paddy was expected in the town caused due to a stop over in Eamont Bridge after paddy suffered some back pain after travelling up Shap Fell and down through Clifton were Children From Clifton Primary School lined the roadside to cheer Paddy along and also have a visit from Pudsey and Gladiator star Giant.
Chesney Hawkes flew back from his holiday (as Paddy is a fan) to perform his new single Get a Hold of Yourself live in BBC Pacific Quay in Glasgow.
Chesney said "I've been following him. It's Paddy, he's such an emotional guy. I've seen the moments when you've told him the different tallies when it's gone up and up. Watching him cry and being so emotional about it all, and people have dug deep on this
As Paddy approached Glasgow he said- " I've been so looking forward to getting into Glasgow. I know what that city is like and they are amazing, I'm buzzing, I cannot wait.”
At 8.47am, Paddy was surprised with a visit from Sir Tom Hunter who has pledged to match every donation up to an incredible £3 million.
Sir Tom - "Come on Paddy, two northern men can't clinch this long"
Paddy – “Sir Tom, sorry, the man is here” ”Thanks for coming over pal."
Sir Tom, was asked why he want to get involved in the event.
Sir Tom said “The Hunter Foundation has been involved in Children in Need right from Sir Terry Wogan's days. Every year we think up things to do. When I saw that he was getting on a Chopper, which I used to buy and sell when I was 12 years old, and I thought, that man is going to struggle, so he needs all the help he can get. I absolutely believe the great British public has taken Paddy and the challenge to their hearts. I want to tell you Paddy here and now - an official National Treasure.”
In response Paddy said “That has made my year. I can't tell you, when I saw his face, I literally had no idea, what a guy this man is. I can't say enough about him. Would you like to join me on a journey?”
Sir Tom responded “I've brought my own Chopper! It's Pensioners in Need.”
Paddy cycled into Glasgow to crowds of people lining the streets and cheering him on, arriving at the BBC’s Pacific Quay at 10.28, where he was welcomed by Zoe Ball, who was presenting a live outside broadcast of The Radio 2 Breakfast Show in the foyer with a small audience of the public who’d received tickets to be there via a ballot.
As Paddy arrived at 10.28am, he was piped in by members of the Lomond School Pipe Band, and Chesney Hawkes performed what else, but his classic hit The One and Only.
Chesney had flown back from his holiday (as Paddy is a fan) said "I've been following him. It's Paddy, he's such an emotional guy. I've seen the moments when you've told him the different tallies when it's gone up and up. Watching him cry and being so emotional about it all, and people have dug deep on this challenge. Look at the amount of money he has made!'
On reaching the end of his 300 mile journey Paddy said, in tears: "I can't believe it. Coming out of East Kilbride and I were looking at Glasgow, and it was lit up in sunshine. And the streets were lined, I had Sir Tom at the side of me as well. I came around the corner there, what a sight, what a feeling, thank you so much everybody. Wow."
Zoe Ball "You have done this with so much humility, so much humour, so much love, can smell you from here..." *everyone laughs "I love you Paddy."
Chesney Hawkes performed his new album for Paddy and the crowds The One and Only.
Paddy said "It's a moment in time I will take to my grave, and I will never forget it."
The surprises were not over for Paddy, Earlier this year, Paddy took part in Who Do You Think You Are?, where they did a deep dive into his family history, in particular Paddys grandfather, William McGuinness. He joined the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in 1891 and was later given a medal for his service which Paddy was shown on the programme from The Boer War.
Vernon Kay and his listeners have managed to track down this medal that was presented to Paddy on stage in Glasgow.
Paddy said “That is amazing - thank you, oh my! Wow, look at that everybody! Oh my days, honestly I'm going to need a couple of weeks in a dark room to process everything.”
Paddy then said he wanted to thank “The team, on day one when I got with them, they started talking about the distance, they said it's a toughie, but I said we're going to do it together. It sounds corny and cheesy, but honestly, every single person is what kept them pedals turning. I was sat on it, they were pushing me up every single hill. It's overwhelming. I know as the days go along, i'll be replaying stuff in my mind.”
Paddy is now heading down to Salford for tonight’s BBC Children in Need Show.
Paddy has also announced he is going to put Patch up for auction, But he said “ i've got to take Patch home to show him to the kids, they'll never forgive me.”
Zoe Ball revealed to Paddy and the crowds in Glasgow that the total raised so far is by Paddy and his Chopper over the 5 days and 300 miles had reached £7,556,853
You Can still donate to Paddys’ Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge for BBC Children in Need at www.bbc.co.uk/paddy.
And watch the TV documentary of Paddy’s whole challenge, Paddy: The Ride Of My Life, on Tuesday 19th November at 8pm on BBC One and hear him read the CBeebies Bedtime Story at 6.50pm on Friday 15th November on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.
The Children in Need Show is on BBC One from 7pm tonight.
photos supplied by BBC
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