Huge welcome for Paddy

CROWDS lined the streets of Annandale to welcome comedian Paddy McGuinness as his Children in Need challenge brought him to our area last night. From the border at Gretna, up to the summit of Beattock, they were there to wave and cheer him on. It was at about 5.30 pm last night, Weds, when he arrived in Scotland, welcomed by a piper. Pictured above. After a short stop in the border town, he was on his Chopper again and passed through Springfield and Kirkpatrick Fleming, taking the service road up to Ecclefechan. Dozens of Hoddom Primary pupils and their families, along with hordes of villagers, were waiting to welcome him. [caption id="attachment_54627" align="alignnone" width="680"]

FINAL STOP . . . Paddy celebrates getting to Ecclefechan. Pic BBC[/caption] He stayed the night in Fechan and was up bright and early today for day four, which took him through Lockerbie, Johnstonebridge and near Moffat and Beattock. His final destination is Glasgow and he's expected there tomorrow. So far, the Chopper cycling challenge has raised over £3 million for this year's Children in Need. To donate, go to www.bbc.co.uk/paddy [caption id="attachment_54628" align="alignnone" width="680"]

LIVE BROADCAST . . . Paddy speaks to Jo Wiley on Radio 2 about his day getting to Ecclefechan[/caption]