Phil Griffiths and Tony Wilson are regular fundraisers

Phil Griffiths from Queensferry, north Wales, is literally taking a back seat in the Comic Relief effort as he is being driven around on the back of a Harley Davidson.

His friend and driver, Tony Wilson, is putting in the hard work and already the pair have visited Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh.

The pair hope to beat the �1,000 raised last year, reciting The Canterbury Tales with a megaphone from Blackpool Tower.

"I'm having an easy time of it - although I am a bit sore," said the 25-year-old financial underwriter.

Mr Griffiths has raised thousands of pounds over the past eight years by taking part in a series of bizarre fundraising ventures.

Previous Comic Relief capers have included the fundraiser rolling a cabbage with a golf club around Cardiff and pushing a pint of beer in a pram for 26 miles dressed as a toucan.

This year's fundraising is more enjoyable for the 25-year-old.

"We were up a long time on Thursday and we didn't get to Edinburgh until 12.30am.

"But we are finding it is strangely exhilarating," he added.

Journey's task

As well as visiting Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff and London Mr Griffiths has set himself the task of getting a lock of hair off a local person in every capital.

The strange request has not proved to be a problem so far - despite Mr Griffiths's odd appearance.

Last year's Comic Relief event - Phil is the chicken

He said: "I've got a red mohican. I am going up to people to ask them and I will put the hair in a frame and hope somebody buys it for Comic Relief," he said.

Mr Griffiths and his fellow traveller Tony Wilson, a driving instructor, will arrive at Cardiff Castle at 1700 GMT on Friday.

They hope to reach London by 2345 GMT.

Their mammoth tour has been helped with donations of ferry tickets and petrol.

Mr Griffiths said his family support his efforts but think he is slightly mad to carry them out.

"I have also cut a lawn with a pair of scissors in 1991 and bounced around the walls of Chester on a space hopper dressed as Hong Kong Phooey," he said.

Mr Griffiths said he was inspired to raise money because of the fun element of Comic Relief.

"I have been doing something for Comic Relief since I was 13.

"The emphasis, for me, was on having a good time while trying to raise money for a good cause," he added.