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4 October 2024, 14:35 | Updated: 4 October 2024, 18:04
One man. One bike. 48 hours. 200 miles…
Classic FM Breakfast presenter Dan Walker is undertaking a huge charity bike challenge this October – as he attempts to cycle the full width of the North of England!
Dan’s epic coast-to-coast challenge will see him pedal a 200-mile stretch from the North Sea coast in Withernsea, through his hometown of Sheffield, all the way across to Liverpool.
And he’ll be doing it all in under 48 hours...
There will be some musical moments and a few surprises along the way, to keep Dan motivated during his two-day marathon. It’s going to be a physically and mentally demanding challenge, a journey Dan will undoubtedly never forget!
Dan will take on the epic sea-to-sea journey on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 October, in less than 48 hours – an immense physical challenge for Dan that’s all to raise money for Classic FM’s official charity Global’s Make Some Noise, which helps change lives across the UK.
Helping people through illness, mental health struggles, poverty and much more, Global’s Make Some Noise are working with brilliant small charities to make sure nobody is left to face life’s toughest challenges alone.
A few familiar faces, including comedians Michael McIntyre and Jon Richardson and athletes Jessica Ennis-Hill and Alan Shearer, sent in special good luck messages for Dan this morning, as he set off on his epic journey.
As Dan began his cycle in Withernsea, he was greeted by the City of Hull Brass Band and some of his Classic FM Breakfast listeners, including the mayor of Withernsea, for a musical send-off.
The brass band played a blast of the Radetzky March to see him on his way...
Brass band serenades Dan Walker as he begins 200-mile coast to coast cycle!
After a gruelling first day, which saw Dan take a tumble off his bike and turn into Sheffield late in the evening, Dan finally arrived in his hometown and was greeted by beautiful music and his pet dog, Winnie.
As he pedalled into the main square by The Crucible theatre, the Steel City Choristers serenaded Dan with ‘The Bare Necessities’.
Dan falls off his bike on day one of his 200-mile cycle challenge!
On Friday morning, Dan presented his entire Breakfast show on Classic FM, from 6.30am to 10am, before setting off once more from Sheffield for his toughest stretch yet, through the Pennines.
After a few very rough hours of uphill climb through the Peak District, Dan made it to the summit with a smile!
But it wasn’t all plain-sailing for Dan, who after several brutal hill climbs in the push to Manchester admitted the challenge was “a lot harder than he thought it was going to be”.
Stay tuned for more updates...
To donate, you can call 0345 949 5000 and give via our phone donation line, to support Dan on his challenge. You can also give online here.
£30 could pay for an early development class for a preschooler with Down's Syndrome, to improve their communication.
£50 could pay for an hour of music therapy for children in hospital, helping to relieve their isolation while they are away from their homes, friends and siblings.
£100 could support families through the life-changing impact of baby loss, by funding a telephone support line for a year.
You can also donate via cheque by post. Please send these to:
Global’s Make Some Noise
30 Leicester Square
London
WC2H 7LA
Supported by Viking. Viking is proud to be supporting Global’s Make Some Noise for the third consecutive year, working together to change lives across the UK.