ALDERLEY Edge TV presenter Michelle Ackerley is swapping dry land for the waterways of the north west as she supports an epic canoe challenge to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.

Michelle will be taking part in the charity fundraising event which will see celebrities teaming up with cancer survivors as part of a five-day, 120-mile canal route across the north west.

Judge Rinder, TV presenter Anthea Turner, TV and radio presenter Jake Humphrey, actress and presenter Natalie Anderson and You Tuber Jack Maynard will row into Middlewich on Monday, September 25 after starting in Chester.

Then actor Tyger Drew-Honey, Hollyoaks stars Anna Passey and Rory Douglas Speed and musicians John and Leon from The Lean Machines will paddle from Middlewich to Warrington on Tuesday, September 26.

Michelle takes the oars on Wednesday, September 27, joined by TV personality Michelle Heaton, Gogglebox star Nikki Tapper, Key 103’s Mike Toolan and YouTuber Niomi Smart on day three of the paddling extravaganza as the canoes travel from Warrington to Worsley, Salford.

Michelle will be partnering with cancer survivor Carla Bradbury who is part of a team of four canoeists who are set to complete the full route - rowing an oar-inspiring five marathons in five days as they set off from Chester on Monday and finish in the heart of Liverpool on Friday.

Testicular cancer survivor and Altrincham sports store manager David Sing is also taking part in the challenge in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, which aims to speed up the translation of incredible scientific discoveries into innovative cancer medicine, tests and treatment.

As the countdown starts to the challenge, Michelle is calling on men and women across Cheshire to show their support by donating online at www.standuptocancer.org.uk/canoe

Michelle said: “I’m so proud to be supporting Stand Up To Cancer. I can’t wait to join my fellow paddlers at the starting line and step up to the canoe challenge.

"It’s particularly close to my heart as the route I’ll be paddling will finish in my home city of Manchester - so I really hope that local men and women get behind us and do their bit to help beat this devastating disease.

“Cancer affects so many of us. By raising money and awareness, we can help to fund vital research to get new and better treatments to cancer patients faster. This is going to be what motivates me all the way to the finish line and I can’t wait to get on the water.”

Hollyoaks Anna Passey said: “I’m so excited to be supporting this epic canoe challenge for Stand Up To Cancer. I’m determined to do all I can to help raise funds and awareness, so I jumped at the chance to take part.

"It’s going to be a great experience and I’m so happy to be joining Heidi in her canoe. She’s such an inspiration and I can’t wait to meet everyone on the water. I better start practising my paddling!

“Cancer affects so many of us and now is the time to fight back. I’m calling on everyone in Cheshire to show their support and help fund brilliant research to help save lives.”

Starting in Chester on Monday, the 120-mile route will take in the waterways of Warrington and Manchester before culminating at Liverpool’s Albert Dock on Friday.

Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the north west, said: “We are delighted that Michelle is picking up her paddle and supporting such an epic challenge for Stand Up To Cancer.

“The Great Canoe Challenge aims to inspire people across the north west to join the rebellion against cancer and raise funds for life-saving research. Our team of heroic paddlers and army of celebrity supporters are set to power their canoes towards the finish line.

“We’re calling on people to show their support and help fund game-changing research. Money raised will fund cutting-edge research that accelerates new cancer treatments and tests to UK patients to ultimately save more lives."

One in two of us in the UK will develop cancer in our lifetime, so now is the time to act.”

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.

These include the development of the ‘chemo package’ to deliver treatment at the best time for the patient; testing arsenic as a weapon to make cancer implode and using viruses to seek and destroy cancer cells.

Alison added: “Around 41,700 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West every year. Every day, scientists and researchers work tirelessly to beat the disease, and with the support of the people of Cheshire, we can continue to fund ground-breaking research to help save more lives, more quickly.

“There are so many ways to get involved so we’re calling on people across the North West to stand up, raise cash and take cancer out.”

Stand Up To Cancer is supported by a host of celebrities from TV, film and radio including Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Bill Bailey, Edith Bowman and Kirstie Allsopp.

This autumn Channel 4 will once again bring the brightest stars from show business together in a dedicated season of Stand Up To Cancer programming.

To support Michelle and her fellow paddlers on the Great Canoe Challenge and donate £5 or £10, text CANOE5 or CANOE10 to 70404** or donate online at standuptocancer.org.uk/canoe