Paddy McGuinness 'never been so happy’ as he smashes Children in Need challenge

Radio 2 prima Paddy McGuinness breaks BBC fundraising records arsenic helium cycles 300 miles connected a Raleigh Chopper

Paddy McGuinness’s 300-mile motorcycle thrust connected a Raleigh Chopper yesterday smashed Vernon Kay’s bonzer grounds from past twelvemonth arsenic helium raised £7.5million for Children successful Need.

Soon aft helium arrived astatine the decorativeness enactment successful Glasgow, to beryllium greeted by chap Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball, helium laughed: “I’m going to request a mates of weeks successful a acheronian country to process this."

His fundraising full roseate importantly aft Scottish businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter pledged to lucifer lb for lb what Paddy raised from Wednesday, up to a full £3million.

“I’m perfectly breached and I’ve ne'er been truthful happy,” Paddy declared arsenic helium rode the past 18-mile limb of the challenge. “I cognize 1 happening - I've done immoderate crying this past fewer days - flipping heck Zoe, I've been crying my eyes out!"

Sir Tom had joined him for the past spot connected his ain Chopper, telling Paddy that he’d officially achieved the presumption of “national treasure”. And helium added: “My aged Dad utilized to accidental the explanation of kindness was helping radical you’ll ne'er meet. Thank you for being truthful kind.”

After finishing astatine 10.28am, having arrived astatine the BBC ’s Pacific Quay, helium said he’d been overwhelmed by each the enactment and donations from the public. Choking up, helium said: "I can't judge it. Coming retired of East Kilbride and I were looking astatine Glasgow, and it was lit up successful sunshine.

And the streets were lined, I had Sir Tom astatine the broadside of maine arsenic well. I came astir the country there, what a sight, what a feeling, convey you truthful overmuch everybody. Wow.” And helium added: “It's a infinitesimal successful clip I volition instrumentality to my grave, and I volition ne'er hide it. It’s a caput blowing magnitude of money.”

Paddy's full is expected to emergence successful the run-up to Friday's Children successful Need connected BBC1. At this signifier past twelvemonth Kay, who ran 116 miles, had raised £3.7m which roseate to go much than £6million implicit the pursuing days. Yesterday Zoe had different astonishment for Paddy, arsenic she revealed that Vernon had tracked down his grandad’s medal from the Boer War.

She told him: “Earlier this year, erstwhile you were connected Who Do You Think You Are?, they did a heavy dive into your household history, successful peculiar your grandfather, William McGuinness. He joined the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment successful 1891 and was aboriginal fixed a medal for his work which they showed you connected the programme. Vernon and his unthinkable listeners person managed to way down this medal and we'd similar to springiness it to you now.” Paddy was thrilled, saying: “That is astonishing - convey you, ohio wow, look astatine that everybody.”

Dad-of-three Paddy told Jo Whiley connected Thursday evening that he’d been helped enormously by cycling champ Sir Chris Hoy, who rode portion of the mode with him. “The astir surreal infinitesimal of my beingness was going into a work presumption conscionable disconnected the motorway and watching a Knight of the Realm bash Agadoo with Black Lace live. I was like, ‘this does not hap normally!’ It was brilliant.” Radio 2 has been playing Agadoo each clip Paddy clocks up 50 miles and the set turned up astatine the 250 miles stage.

He was besides moved to tears erstwhile letters from his ain kids were work retired to spur him connected on Thursday. Twins Leo and Penelope, 11, and eight-year-old girl Felicity, person each been diagnosed with autism, on with his ex-wife Christine.

The erstwhile Top Gear and Question of Sport host, 51, acceptable disconnected connected his five-day travel from Wrexham connected Monday and each portion has been filmed for BBC1 documentary Paddy: The Ride of My Life connected Tuesday astatine 8pm (MUST.

His household members who met him successful Glasgow said they had followed his advancement each measurement of the way. His relative Lorraine said: “We’re truthful unbelievably arrogant and truthful humble that he’s done this.” And his step-brother Tony admitted helium thought he’d “gone crazy” erstwhile helium heard what helium was planning. Choking up helium added: “He’s my hero. I conscionable emotion him.”

To donate to Paddy’s Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge spell to BBC Radio 2 - Children In Need connected Radio 2 - Paddy’s Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge

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