±«Óãtv

The One Show's presenter Matt Baker announced today that he will be undertaking one of his most daunting challenges yet: The One Show Rickshaw Challenge for ±«Óãtv Children in Need, which will see him ask Britain to get behind him as he cycles a rickshaw from Edinburgh to London in eight days.

Matt will embark on his arduous journey on the morning of Friday 11 November from Edinburgh Castle Esplanade and will attempt to complete the marathon 484-mile journey to the ±«Óãtv in London, finishing live on The One Show's Children in Need special on Friday 18 November on ±«Óãtv One.

The One Show will go live to Hawick on Friday 11 November, the first stop in Matt's Rickshaw Challenge.

The programme will greet him live on air every weeknight as Matt crosses the finishing line at each location.

Every day viewers will be able to follow Matt's progress online at the and on Twitter at @±«ÓãtvCiN, @bakermattbaker and #CiNrickshaw, as he travels onwards from Hawick to Hexham, Barnard Castle, York, Lincoln, Peterborough, Cambridge and finally London.

Throughout the challenge, Matt will be picking up passengers along the way. These will be a variety of surprise guests and Children in Need's very own Pudsey.

Matt will brave the harsh winter elements and battle steep hills to cycle his rickshaw for up to 10 hours each day and burn up to 9,000 calories daily.

Matt Baker said: "For this year's ±«Óãtv Children in Need I'm hitting the roads of Britain for a relentless Rickshaw Challenge. I'm hoping to arrive in time for The One Show's live Children in Need special, but the hilly roads, winter weather and the tough schedule will not make it easy.

"I'm going to need your help and support so please get behind me, turn up and cheer me on. Any support would be greatly appreciated, even something tasty to keep my strength up. Hopefully I'll see you on my rickshaw route to raise thousands!"

David Ramsden, ±«Óãtv Children in Need Chief Executive, added: "It is fantastic that Matt is undertaking this massive challenge. Pedalling 484 miles in eight days through the November weather will be an incredible achievement. He's going to raise us lots of money that will help us change the lives of disadvantaged young people across the UK who are facing their own challenges."

Notes to editors

To donate £5, text "MATT" to 70705; texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message, £5 will go to ±«Óãtv Children in Need. Go to bbc.co.uk/pudsey for full terms and conditions. You must be over 16 and ask the bill payer's permission.

Route summary:

Day 1 Edinburgh to Hawick 53.5 miles
Day 2 Hawick to Hexham 59.2 miles
Day 3 Hexham to Barnard Castle 49.0 miles
Day 4 Barnard Castle to York 70.6 miles
Day 5 York to Lincoln 78.0 miles
Day 6 Lincoln to Peterborough 73.2 miles
Day 7 Peterborough to Cambridge 41.0 miles
Day 8 Cambridge to London 59.3 miles

Matt will be carrying a passenger at all times when it is possible to do so. The only times it may not be possible would be on dangerously steep downhills, where the passenger is at risk of falling out, and steep uphills, when it will be a physical risk for Matt to over-exert himself, at which point the passenger would get out of the rickshaw and help Matt push it uphill.

±«Óãtv Children in Need supports projects working with disadvantaged children and young people right here in the UK. They currently support around 2,500 projects that are working with children facing a range of disadvantages, for example, poverty and deprivation, disabled young people and children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect.

This year's appeal will be on Friday 18 November.

IV