±«Óãtv

This year, ±«Óãtv Children in Need has a challenge for everybody in Scotland: can you help Scotland cycle 10,000 miles to match Mark Beaumont's current quest?

'Catch Me If You Can' aims to get anybody and everybody on their bikes to raise money for this year's ±«Óãtv Children in Need Appeal.

'Catch Me If You Can' launches today with local cyclists joining celebrities outside ±«Óãtv Scotland's headquarters for a photo opportunity to help spread the word. Budding cyclists across the country are encouraged to dust off their bikes, trikes, tandems or any other form of cycle to help raise money for ±«Óãtv Children in Need.

Scotsman Mark Beaumont is a Guinness World Record breaker for cycling around the world. He featured in the ±«Óãtv One series The Man Who Cycled The World and is currently cycling the length of the Americas, from Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina, for an forthcoming ±«Óãtv One series.

Mark says: "By ±«Óãtv Children in Need night I will have pedalled over 10,000 miles and I would like to challenge Scottish cyclists to try and catch me if you can! Whether you ride a mile or a thousand get pedalling and get sponsored to raise as much as you can.

"Together, Scottish cyclists can make a big difference and if you pedal hard, together you can catch Pudsey and me somewhere in Peru! I will let you know on the appeal night if you have made it!"

±«Óãtv Children in Need hopes everybody will have a go.

Fraser Falconer, Children in Need's National Head Scotland, says: "This year, we are asking everyone to raise money by doing something different for ±«Óãtv Children In Need. I think there are many fundraisers who'll be delighted to try and catch Mark in this very special challenge. It's a great event that you take part in local streets, centres and neighbourhoods in every part of Scotland."

Sandra Sutton from Twechar Community Action is supporting this year's Appeal and explains how important the money raised is: "We love fundraising for Pudsey each year!

"±«Óãtv Children in Need funds our senior youth worker, and without her we wouldn't be able to run any of our youth clubs or youth activities. Our young people love to ride their bikes as it's fun, healthy and a great form of free play they have access to."

Friday 20 November is this year's Appeal night. Mark will be live from Peru by satellite on ±«Óãtv One Scotland to reveal if Scotland has managed to catch up with him and announce the total sum raised by Scotland's cyclists.

Notes to Editors

Fundraising packs are available on the ±«Óãtv Children in Need website bbc.co.uk/pudseyscotland or by calling 0345 607 3333.

Mark's progress can be followed on bbc.co.uk/cyclingtheamericas.

NR3