The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge annual fund-raiser for BBC Children in Need travelled through Nantwich and Crewe during an eight-day challenge to cycle 400 miles from Holyhead to London.
The Rickshaw arrived in Crewe on Monday night during a live broadcast of the BBC’s The One Show.
The Rickshaw was ridden onto Memorial Square by The One Show presenter Matt Baker and Kelsey, aged 17, who is blind and plays a sport called Goalball.
BBC Children in Need fund Goalball UK to deliver Goalball activities and competitive opportunities for blind and partially sighted young people.
Kelsey was met in Crewe by his family and guide dog called Lacey.
Municipal Buildings was lit up with a huge Pudsey bear, Memorial Square shone with ornate lighting and there was an impressive display of Crewe-built Whitby Morrison ice cream vans.
There was also a Crewe Town Council organised lantern workshop on Memorial Square, with all creations made on the day to be paraded at the forthcoming LUMEN – Crewe’s Night of Lights event in Crewe town centre on Friday 29th November (5-8pm).
Crewe was the half-way point of the Rickshaw Challenge and it was announced on-air during the programme that an incredible £1,115,852 had already been raised for Children in Need, the BBC’s UK charity.
Matt Baker thanked the people of Crewe for their warm welcome and their support. Despite a gruelling day he took the time to chat to fans and pose for selfies – a true professional.
Team Rickshaw rested overnight in Crewe before departing early the following morning to head for Matlock Bath on the next stage of the journey.
On completion Team Rickshaw – consisting of Matt Baker and six young people – will have ridden to Flash, the highest village in the UK, and have tackled the steepest street in the world in Harlech, Wales.
(Images courtesy of Jonathan White)
I agree it is a good sign if Dave Vernon and Matt Baker are in Crewe. Also nice of Hilary Clinton to put the town on the map!
Jonathan White is one of the best up-and-coming photographers in Wistaston apparently.
He’s a Bollywood actor I think? Not sure.
Matt Baker is Indian? I knew it!
Good pictures by Jonny White. He does a mean Donald Trump impression too!
Impressed that Greggs stayed open late. I was a difficult decision as to whether I should deposit my spare pound coin into the Pudsey charity box or buy a vegan sausage roll.
I am covered in pastry but got to speak to Matt Baker at least! 🙂
Pity they didn’t have collectors on the route at the back so people could give their donations to. As many who I was stood with had donations ready en route through crewe were disappointed they couldn’t give their donations they had with them.
They do an amazing job raising money. And they left two hours earlier on way to Matlock as people have commented on social media who went out to cheer the rickshaw challenge on
A great article. Also good for the town that people like Matt Baker and Dave Vernon were there. A much needed boost for Crewe!
Who is Matt Baker?
It is good to see Dave Vernon in Crewe which is very unusual.
Usually it is somewhere posh like Nantwich, Wilmslow or Hampstead.
Hope his book is good when it come out next year.
Matt Baker is a presenter on The One Show.
Who is Dave Vernon?
He was at the Gary Delaney gig last night I noticed. It’s just nice to have someone from Crewe that we can be proud of.
It’s about time – nothing to smile about in this time for many a year!