A GROUP of celebrities are swapping dry land for the waterways around Warrington as they support a canoe challenge to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.

Judge Rinder, Hollyoaks’ stars Anna Passey and Rory Douglas Speed, and John and Leon from The Lean Machines will pull up at the London Bridge Inn in Appleton at around 6pm on Tuesday after rowing from Middlewich. 

They will pass on the oars to TV personality Michelle Heaton, Gogglebox star Nikki Tapper and TV presenter Michelle Ackerley who will leave Warrington at 7.30am on Wednesday morning in the charity fundraising event which sees celebrities teaming up with cancer survivors as part of a five-day, 120-mile canal route challenge across the north west.

Supporters can watch the canoeists from The Golden Fleece pub in Lymm before making their way into Sale. 

The challenge is in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

Michelle Heaton said: “Taking part in the Great Canoe Challenge was a no-brainer for me. 

“When I discovered I was a carrier of a faulty version of the BRCA2 gene, it was devastating. 

“I felt like my world had been turned upside down. 

“I want to do everything I can to help to raise money for research because I know it’s the key to defeating this disease.”

Since it was launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has raised more than £38 million to fund over 40 clinical trials and research projects.  

To donate visit standuptocancer.org.uk/canoe.