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Graham Liver is currently limbering up for a very special challenge in aid of this year's ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need Appeal.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Lancashire breakfast show presenter will be cycling almost 500 miles from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to Blackpool Tower – the design of which was famously inspired by its French cousin.

Graham is no stranger to long distance bike rides, having travelled from Leeds Castle in Kent to Leeds last year – however he didn't think he'd be back on two wheels quite so soon.

Graham says: "In a funny way I am looking forward to it, but I know it will hurt.

"Everybody keeps giving me advice, mainly about how to cope with saddle sores, but I know the pain will be worth it and the people of Lancashire will dig deep and give us lots of money for Children in Need."

Graham will be setting off from Paris on Friday 1 October, hoping to reach Blackpool by Thursday 7 October and has set himself a fundraising target of £3,000. Listeners will be able to help him reach his goal by donating via his JustGiving page .

John Clayton, Editor ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Lancashire, says: "We always like to come up with new ways to raise money for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need – but this year's challenge is going to be one of the toughest yet. Graham has done a bit of cycling before, but I'm not entirely sure he knows what he's let himself in for – it's certainly going to be extremely tough and very hard work. We want the whole of Lancashire to get behind him for this very worthy cause."

Regular listeners needn't worry about missing their favourite show, as Graham will be broadcasting his usual mix of news, gossip and fun each morning as the breakfast show will be on air as usual during the challenge from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ studios Graham will be passing en route.

Listeners can follow Graham's progress by tuning in to Radio Lancashire (95.5, 103.9 and 104.5 FM) and via . Plus there will be regular updates via and exclusive "behind the scenes" photos posted on .

Notes to Editors

Graham will be leaving the Eiffel Tower on Friday 1 October and his route will be taking in Rouen, Le Havre, Portsmouth, Swindon, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester before finishing in Blackpool on Thursday 7 October.

Once the ride is complete, Graham's bike used during the challenge will be auctioned in aid of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need. More details will be announced regarding this on air. On Thursday 7 October, John Gilmore's afternoon programme will be following Graham across Lancashire all the way to the finishing line outside Blackpool Tower.

This year's ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need Appeal will be held on Friday 19 November.

JC4