SCOTTISH entrepreneur Tom Hunter has revealed that Paddy McGuinness's choice of bicycle was one of the reasons why he decided to double the donations for the TV presenter’s BBC Children In Need challenge.
The millionaire said the 51-year-old has captured the “nation's imagination” and that his 300-mile five-day ultra-endurance challenge cycling from Wrexham, in Wales, to Glasgow, is “inspirational”.
Hunter said you can see how McGuinness has managed to rally the support of people across the UK by how they have lined the side of the roads to cheer him on.
“First of all, he's inspirational,” said Hunter.
“He's out there doing it for those who need a wee hand up.”
“I think he's captured the nation's imagination, and you can see that by the people who line the sides of the roads."
Hunter added: “He'll get a very, very, warm welcome in Scotland.”
On Wednesday the Hunter Foundation announced it would match the donations made by people towards McGuinness’s charity challenge up to a value of £2 million.
“It's a simple thing,” Hunter (below) said.
“But, you know, if you can do a few quid, then it'll make such a difference.”
Hunter then went on to say that one of the other reasons why he decided to match donations for McGuinness's fundraiser was because of the rally chopper he is using to complete the challenge.
“It's a kind of daft thing, but the rally chopper piqued my attention because I used to sell them when I was about 12 years old,” he said.
“I used to buy and sell them in New Cumnock and the rally chopper’s got a very, very special place in my heart.
“So, when I saw what Paddy was doing, I thought, well, he needs a bit of help here because that will be a hard shift coming up from Wrexham.”
Hunter added: “It's obviously mainly to try and help the brilliant work that Children in Need does.”
The Scottish businessman explained that the Hunter Foundation, the organisation which manages his philanthropy, has been a supporter of Children In Need for several years – since Terry Wogan hosted the appeal.
He said the foundation gets involved with the projects Children In Need helps to fund, “we don't just write a cheque,” he said.
“We actually know the fantastic work that is done.”
The former host of Top Gear and Take Me Out, McGuinness is on day four of the ultra-endurance charity challenge as he set off from Ecclefechan, in Dumfries and Galloway.
He is expected to stop off in Strathaven on Thursday night and will complete his fundraiser at the BBC’s Pacific Quay building in Glasgow on Friday.
BBC Children In Need will air at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on November 15.
Anyone who wishes to donate can do so here.
