Saturday, November 16, 2024

Helensburgh piper has starring role as Paddy McGuinness ends charity cycle

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Yannick Embley, 13, a pupil at Lomond School, was amongst a group of musicians at BBC Scotland’s Glasgow HQ when the TV and radio star arrived earlier Friday.

Paddy set off from Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Ground in Wales on Monday and finished at Pacific Quay in Glasgow for Children in Need.

Yannick said he had a “really good time” and was even interviewed by Zoe Ball on Radio 2.

Proud mum Sally told the Advertiser the S2 pupil went up with with his band mates who are part of Helensburgh Clan Colquhoun Pipe Band and the school band.

“He was invited to play for the arrival of Paddy McGuinness in Glasgow,” she said. “He attends a summer camp called Over the Wall and is funded by Children in Need.

Zoe Ball interviews Yannick at BBC ScotlandZoe Ball interviews Yannick at BBC Scotland (Image: Contributed) (Image: Contributed)

“We are really proud of him and also very grateful to Lomond School for their support.”

She added a thanks to Ms Serpell at the boarding house at Lomond and to Clan Colquhoun.

Just last week, Yannick also won two gold medals at the National Junior Swimming Championships.

 

 

Readers will remember he was a regular fixture in Colquhoun Square piping for charity.

“I love to challenge myself to find out what I am able to do,” Yannick told the Advertiser last year.

As well as his own fund-raising efforts, piping and swimming. he also likes climbing, wheelchair basketball, piano and sailing. He even has his own Instagram page as @thewheelygoodpiper.


READ MORE: Lomond School pupil shows Helensburgh no challenge is out of reach


Paddy, 51, has helped raise more than £7.5m for the charity so far and was greeted by enthusiastic crowds inside and outside the BBC Scotland building as he completed the feat.

Speaking to Zoe Ball during the live recording of BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show Paddy said: “I can’t believe it.

“Coming out of East Kilbride and looking at Glasgow, lit up in the sunshine. Coming into the city and the streets were lined, and going round the corner at Pacific Quay, what a sight, what a feeling.”

(Image: Contributed)

The former Top Gear presenter completed Radio 2’s Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge on his dream childhood bike, a Raleigh Chopper, which was customised and painted in the colours of Children in Need’s mascot, Pudsey.

Paddy nicknamed the bike ‘Patch’.

The Hunter Foundation has matched donations from Radio 2 listeners of up to £3m.

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