MacMillan Emmerdale To Eastenders Cycle Challenge

Image: Helen Turton

On Friday 19 August, five of Emmerdale's most loved stars are set to take on a gruelling 224 mile cycle challenge from Emmerdale's The Woolpack to Albert Square's Queen Vic, in just 24 hours, to raise £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Brave Team Emmerdale cyclists Rik Makarem (Nikhil Sharma), Kelvin Fletcher (Andy Sugden), James Thornton (John Barton), Tom Lister (Carl King) and Executive Producer Steve November, will set off from Emmerdale Village on Friday 19 August at 6pm and aim to complete the ambitious challenge in less than 24 hours, racing against the clock to reach the Queen Vic in time for last orders!

The team will complete this demanding ride in memory of their producer, the late Gavin Blyth, who died aged 41 from cancer last year.

Joining them along the way for part of the route is Olympic and professional cyclist Ben Swift, who is currently riding his first ever Tour de France. Ben said: ‘I am delighted to be helping the guys with this as it is such a special ride for them and for a very worthy cause. It will be a huge achievement for them to finish this in such a short time and I am really pleased that CNP Professional are supporting the event with advice and nutrition products and I can offer my moral support.'

Team Emmerdale cyclist James Thornton said:
‘We are all looking forward to undertaking this challenge to raise £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. None of us have cycled further than the local before, but thanks to all our sponsors providing us with fantastic kit, we're ready to take to the roads!'

Bryan Kirkwood, Executive Producer of EastEnders, said:
‘We are really pleased to be able to help the Emmerdale team with their challenge to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Gavin Blyth, a former colleague and friend, who sadly passed away last year. We look forward to welcoming the Woolpack team to Walford and wish them the very best of luck.'

Sophie Gill, Macmillan's Community Corporate Manager, said:
‘The Macmillan Emmerdale to EastEnders Cycle Challenge is a fantastic tribute to Gavin, and another amazing example of how far the fab Emmerdale guys will go to help Macmillan Cancer Support and people affected by cancer. We hope Emmerdale fans and Macmillan supporters along the route will dig deep and help the team towards their £100,000 target.'

To sponsor the team visit: Justgiving.com/Emmerdale-EastEndersCharityCycle Or make a £5 donation by texting ‘RIDE66 £5' to 70070.

For all the latest news, info and exclusive video footage about the challenge visit www.teamemmerdale.com or the team's twitter feed on @ED2EE.