Children line the streets to give Greg James a rousing send off on Comic Relief quest
BBC Radio One DJ Greg James was given a rousing Wearside send off as he embarked on the penultimate leg of his mammoth cycle ride from Weymouth to Edinburgh.
Greg rode into Sunderland on Wednesday on day six of his eight day journey to the Scottish capital, and is due to arrive today (March 20) for Comic Relief.
As he set-off from Sunderland yesterday, local school children could be seen lining the streets and cheering him on.
Greg could be seen raising his hand and cheering back as he acknowledged the support from the crowd.
It was a return to the city for the presenter who was last here in January to give away tickets for Radio 1’s Big Weekend, which takes place in Herrington Country Park from May 22-24, with headliners Fatboy Slim, Zara Larsson and Olivia Dean.
Greg has been joined on his tandem bike by a number of famous faces as he looks to complete the 1,000 km journey. Day five saw double Olympic gold medallist and Tour De France winner Geraint Thomas and TV presenter Gethin Jones join Greg in the saddle and the Radio One presenter was also paid a special visit by The Prince of Wales.
After arriving in Sunderland, Greg said: “I’m definitely feeling it today. My legs are shot, I'm sore in places I didn’t even know existed, and sitting on the saddle is becoming a struggle.
“This is without a doubt, mentally and physically, the toughest thing I've done. By this point in my previous two Comic Relief challenges, I would have already completed them.
“Doing stuff in your community is a big thing which we might have got distracted from for various reasons in life. Seeing people on the side of the roads, and at the finish lines, shows the power of what we can do when we come together.”
Greg has already raised over £1million for Comic Relief and is due to complete his challenge today (March 20) on Comic Relief Day.
You can track Greg’s progress and donate to his cause via his fundraising page.