Jedburgh wave off Team Rickshaw

And the team of riders, joined by One Show presenter Matt Baker, received a rousing welcome to the town last night where they appeared live on BBC One from Jedburgh Abbey before being waved off on their challenge by residents at Camptown early this morning.

The team of riders were welcomed by Jethart Callant Gary Hogg and his henchmen who accompanied the rickshaw into the Abbey and helped promote the donation text line live on air.

Setting off in relative darkness at 6am, the team were cheered along the route at various points between Jedburgh and the Carter Bar as well-wishers, donning their Children In Need flags, homemade banners and even the odd Pusdey suit, came out in force to support the team.

Returning for a sixth year, the Rickshaw Challenge will see the team of six youngsters make their way down the East Coast in a bid to cross the finish line in London next Friday, in time for the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show.

The team taking on this year’s challenge is made up of 18-year-old Ebony from Bournemouth, 18 –year-old Andy and 18-year-old Phoebe who are both from Derbyshire, 18-year-old Salar from the West Midlands, 17-year-old Olivia from Edinburgh, and 18-year-old Ross from Sunderland.

To date, the Challenge has raised more than £12million and in keeping with tradition, the young riders will not only test their pedal power, but also their mettle, as they deliver speeches to a live audience explaining their motivations for taking on the challenge this year.