BBC Children in Need and The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge return for 2019OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASENEWS PROVIDED BY BBC One Team Rickshaw returns for a ninth year and takes on a challenging 400-mile route from Holyhead to London, as the riders Pedal for Pudsey. The Rickshaw Challenge launched on Wednesday 16 October with a new route, a new team, and a newly modified Rickshaw, as announced live during The One Show. The annual challenge, which is now in its ninth year, will see a team of six young people and The One Show’s Matt Baker take on the eight-day challenge. It will begin on Friday 8 November in Holyhead and the team will travel across Wales for three days before crossing over into England in Oswestry, and then making their way down to the finish line at BBC Elstree Studios on Friday 15 November during the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show. The team’s progress will be broadcast live on The One Show throughout the week, as Matt’s co-presenters back in the studio follow the team on their 400-mile journey. This year’s route will see the team tackle the highest village in the UK - Flash, in the Peak District, and the steepest street in the world in Harlech, Wales. Last year, a new custom rickshaw was built by a team of engineers at the McLaren Technology Centre to make the rickshaw accessible to a wider range of riders. An innovative seat-post system allowed team members with a range of mobilities to join the team. This year, McLaren has gone one step further and created an innovative solution that enables visually impaired and blind riders to take part in the challenge. A recumbent guide-trike, which fixes to the front of the Rickshaw allows steering and braking to be managed by a guide rider whilst a visually impaired rider pedals from the main driving seat of the Rickshaw. sarah.johnson04@bbc.co.uk Adelle, 17, from Belfast Adelle says: “Having cancer has taught me not to take life for granted and has really put things into perspective for me. I think being a part of Team Rickshaw will be a real challenge for me but I’m looking forward to getting on the road, sharing my story and helping to raise money for BBC Children in Need that will go on to make a difference to other young people’s lives.” Emma, 18, from Nottingham Emma’s sight gradually returned and a year later, following a long process of rehabilitation and physiotherapy, Emma was able to walk again. Children’s Liver Disease Foundation have provided Emma and her family with guidance and support throughout her life. The Foundation has received funding from BBC Children in Need since 2011. Emma says: “I have always been quite sporty but after my seizure I had to work really hard to learn to walk again. Every day I’m getting stronger, but I know that being a part of Team Rickshaw will be a real challenge for me. I’m excited to head out on the road and hope that the public will cheer us on and help us raise money for BBC Children in Need.” Josh, 17, from Carnforth, Lancashire Caring for Jacob can be tough, so away from this Josh finds solace in gardening, and following some volunteering at a local garden - Levens Hall Gardens - he has been taken on as an apprentice. Josh has been supported by Carer Support South Lakes which use a grant from BBC Children in Need to deliver a range of activities to give young carers like Josh, respite from their responsibilities and develop their skills and confidence. Josh says: “The Rickshaw Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to taking on the challenge and sharing my story. I can’t wait to be out on the road with the rest of the team and I hope that we see lots of support from the public along the way.” Kelsey, 17, from Watford Kelsey says: “I’m determined to prove that being blind should never be a barrier and I’m really looking forward to being part of Team Rickshaw. I hope that the public get behind us, come out to support us on the road, and donate to BBC Children in Need.” Thomas, 17, from Swindon Thomas says: “I hope that I can inspire other young people who have been through a similar experience to me and show them that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. I’m excited to be a part of Team Rickshaw 2019 and am looking forward to seeing people out on the road cheering us on!” Uche, 20, from London Recovery was tough for Uche but it was during this time that he started attending XLP, a local youth project that is funded by BBC Children in Need. Uche was mentored by XLP which has helped him to focus on his future, and with their support he’s secured an apprenticeship in Engineering. Uche says: “Following the stabbing I found things quite difficult, but with the help of XLP I have been able to focus on my future and make the best of my situation. I’m really looking forward to being a part of Team Rickshaw and hope that the people of the UK will get behind us and help us to raise money for BBC Children in Need.” Matt Baker, Presenter of The One Show who will be joining the team on the road, says of the challenge: “I can’t believe that in just a few weeks’ time we’ll be heading back on the road again for the ninth year of the Rickshaw Challenge! “We have a truly inspirational team joining us on the road, and we’re looking forward to seeing all those friendly faces who will be cheering us on from the roadside, as we battle the elements and complete the 400-mile journey from Wales to Elstree.” Since 2011, The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge has raised over £25 million for BBC Children in Need, with donations going on to make a difference to the lives of children and young people across the UK who need it most. In an exciting first for the fundraising challenge, The Hunter Foundation (THF) has pledged to give 40p for every £1 donated by the general public to the Rickshaw Challenge*, helping to make the public’s generous donations go even further in making a difference to young lives. Speaking of the pledge, Sir Tom Hunter says: “Every year I watch the Rickshaw Challenge and I can’t help but be inspired by the wonderful young people on the road and all of the support that I see from people across the UK getting together to fundraise and donate to BBC Children in Need. This year I’m looking forward to watching the whole nation get behind the team again and help us to raise even more money for such a worthy cause. “At The Hunter Foundation we aim to maximise the impact that our money has on children and young people across the UK who are facing disadvantage, and working with BBC Children in Need enables us to do this. That’s why this year for every £1 donated to the Rickshaw Challenge we will donate 40p and make your donation go even further.” The One Show viewers will be able to follow Team Rickshaw’s progress on the show each day, but the full route - including a real-time update of the rickshaw’s progress - is also available at bbc.co.uk/Pudsey Route Summary Day 1 (Friday 8 November): Holyhead to Portmeirion
Source BBC One
October 18, 2019 9:05am ET by BBC One |