Walliams inspires Shearer cycle bid

9:08am Tuesday 26th February 2008

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Alan Shearer said he was inspired to attempt a gruelling 335-mile bike ride in just 36 hours by the heroics of Channel-swimming comedian David Walliams.

The ex-England captain and the BBC TV presenter Adrian Chiles were inspired to raise cash for Sport Relief by cycling from Newcastle to London, via the West Midlands, after visiting projects the charity helps in Africa.

Shearer, 37, said Banstead-born Walliams' effort raised the bar of what was expected of celebrity fundraising two years ago when he swam the English Channel.

Walliams' Channel challenge raised more than £1 million for Sport Relief.

"It's his fault," former England captain Shearer joked. "He did that great task two years ago and got everyone talking about it. It made everyone sit up and take notice.

"We have to complete a serious challenge because of what he did. It has to make people sit up and notice - and pledge some money."

In the past weeks, the former Blackburn and Newcastle United star has been taking in views of his native North East which he would normally speed past in his car.

He has completed a 35-mile ride, and his longest was 50 miles after which he was aching badly.

But Shearer believes his top-level sportsman's competitive edge, and adrenaline, will see him through.