BBC Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge back next week

The BBC’s Children In Need rickshaw is getting dusted off again – this time for a ride from ‘Salford to Walford’ that links the broadcaster’s hub in the northwest with the set of its most popular soap, EastEnders.

It’s the fourth Rickshaw Challenge, and BBC Children In Need hope it will be the most successful yet. The previous editions have raised more than £5 million for children in the UK and overseas so far.

The first edition saw One Show presenter Matt Baker ride from Edinburgh to London, but since then the focus has been on young people the charity has assisted get pedalling to help others benefit from the same help they did.

This year’s ride begins at Media City in Salford on Friday 7 November and finishes on the EastEnders set  in Elstree on Friday 14 November.

The finish coincides with the BBC’s live broadcast of this year’s Children In Need appeal, will see Baker and co-host Alex Jones encourage the five youngsters pedalling the rickshaw throughout the challenge. There is a video introducing them here.

Baker says: “We’re hoping for our biggest fundraiser ever for Team Rickshaw, so the pressure is really on for the riders. And of course, to the Great British public, we need your support more than ever.

“It’s such a fantastic project, where people who’ve benefited from the charity first-hand can really give back, and this year we’ll be getting much more of an insight into their own stories, which brings opportunities and challenges of its own.

“Myself and Alex have served our time on the rickshaw and have clocked up our fair share of public speaking too, so we’ll be on hand to help at any time of the journey.”

Jones added: “The Rickshaw Challenge is always tough, but this time it will test the riders both physically and mentally with the addition of the speeches.

“I can still recall the aches and pain from last year’s challenge and can vouch it’s a seriously tough journey – even harder without support from the adult riders.

“This year’s team is fantastic, so here’s hoping their sheer determination will get them through.

“Once again we’re calling on everyone to show their support and push Team Rickshaw to their most successful year yet!”

You can find out more about the Rickshaw Challenge on the BBC Children in Need website.

Rickshaw Challenge 2014 Route

Day 1 Manchester to Blackpool
Day 2 Blackpool to Liverpool
Day 3 Liverpool to Buxton
Day 4 Buxton to Nottingham
Day 5 Nottingham to Alton
Day 6 Alton to Coventry
Day 7 Coventry to Misbourne Valley
Day 8 Misbourne Valley to ‘Walford’, Elstree