The One Show prepares to Rickshaw Around the Clock for Children in Need

The One Show has announced the return of the Rickshaw Challenge for BBC Children in Need.

Now in its third year, the team has plans for its biggest and most difficult challenge ever. For the first time, riders will visit all four UK nations, pedalling around the clock to cover approximately 700 miles and raise money for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

‘Team Rickshaw’ will be made up of five young people, each supported by projects funded by BBC Children in Need, who’ll be riding with partners including The One Show’s Alex Jones. Four of the riders will be partnered with a parent. Rickshaw veteran Matt Baker will also support the ride, acting as a mentor and cycling alongside the riders on their eight-day relay journey across the UK. As those who have benefited from the charity’s work first hand, the young riders are undertaking the challenge to raise as much money as possible to help other young people across the country.

The journey begins on Friday 8 November in Northern Ireland. The team will then cross the Irish Sea into Scotland, before pedalling down the west of England and into Wales. Finally the team will head back into England, finishing at BBC Elstree live on the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show on Friday 15.

The route will cover approximately 700 miles; some 290 miles more than the 411 completed in 2012. For the first time, the team will ride around the clock with all riders taking turns to do a nightshift. Throughout the journey they will face challenging terrain and potentially harsh winter weather conditions.

The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge has raised in excess of £3.5 million for the charity to date. The team are hoping that with the increased distance, journey into all four nations, and around-the-clock pedalling, this year’s extraordinary efforts will help capture the public’s attention and raise more than ever before.

Speaking of the challenge, Alex Jones said: “This is going to be one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, and we will all have our work cut out for us. Cycling through the night will probably be the hardest part. Having supported the Rickshaw Challenge before, I know first-hand what a difference the public support can make, so please, please donate and, even better, come out to the streets to cheer us on!”

Matt Baker added: “As a rickshaw rider myself I know what lies ahead for the team, so the advice I'm giving them is a little sugar coated at the moment, otherwise they might not turn up! I only hope that the UK gets out on the streets as they have done in the past; it's this support that will get them to the finish line. I'll be cycling alongside through all four nations so I hope to see you waving - even if you can't sleep, come and see us as the team will be rickshawing around the clock! Thanks in advance for your support, here's to raising a fortune!”

David Ramsden, BBC Children in Need Chief Executive, said: "This is an enormous challenge - covering some 700 miles is an immense task in the tough November weather! The young people are doing this for one purpose and that is to raise as much money as possible to help BBC Children in Need support projects right across the UK. I do hope everyone will support them.”