TV's Matt Baker hails young fundraiser at Claire House

As Matt and the rickshaw team arrived at Claire House Children’s Hospice, Bebington, on the third leg of their journey local families and friends of the hospice turned out in force to greet them.

Speaking after he and young Rickshaw Challenge rider Olivia, 17, completed a 30-mile ride from Southport, Matt said he has been delighted to meet five inspiring young people who each take on their own home-town leg of the route.

All the rickshaw riders have at different points in their lives received help from organisations supported by BBC Children in Need.

Olivia Ruston arrives at Claire House Hospice, Bebington with Matt Baker finishing her leg from Southport

As well as Olivia, others in the relay team are Thomas, 16 of Somerset, whose father was killed and mum severely injured in a car crash; Rainbow, 18, of Liverpool who was born visually impaired and became blind at the age of nine; Harrison, 20, of Cumbria, who survived a series of life-changing operations after being born with a potentially fatal bowel infection; and liver transplant recipient Millie, 20, of Edinburgh.

Matt said having a hassle free and reliable behind the scenes logistics set-up was essential to the ongoing success of the whole challenge.

He was also full of praise for Olivia who he described as a superb inspiration pedalling 30-miles from her home in Southport to Bebington, Wirral, where she finished at Claire House.

The hospice has been supported by Children in Need donations in the past and offers much needed respite care for seriously ill children and their families, including Olivia’s younger sister Jess who was born with a rare life-limiting chromosomal disorder.

Matt said Olivia has selflessly dedicated herself to fundraising from an early age and proved an incredible ambassador for the hospice and for the Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge.

He said it had been an honour to ride alongside her.

Olivia Ruston arrives at Claire House Hospice, Bebington with Matt Baker finishing her leg from Southport

Claire House Communications Officer Hannah Shannon said everyone at the hospice including families and friends of patients and staff was hugely excited to see the Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge arrive at their door.

She said: “This is a brilliant fundraiser, and we are so proud that Olivia was chosen to take part. She is so determined, and we always knew she could do it.”

Hot drinks were laid on for all the participants and Claire House kitchen coordinator Paula Eaton and volunteer Joan Worsey baked cupcakes and biscuits to handout as a token of thanks.

She said: “It was quite tough on my legs but knowing that it was for such a good cause and that so many people were supporting me helped to spur me on.

“It has been a fantastic experience but most of all it is great to know that it has helped raise money to support so many worthy organisations.”

Matt also thanked North Wales trailer firm for providing an invaluable piece of kit which has made the behind the scenes logistics of running this year’s Rickshaw Challenge much easier.

Ifor Williams Trailers, who have factories in Corwen and Cynwyd in Denbighshire and Sandycroft and Deeside Industrial Estate in Flintshire, supplied the trailer which has been ferrying the bright yellow high-tech McLaren-made rickshaw from place to place during each leg of Matt’s fundraising venture in aid of BBC Children in Need.

Olivia Ruston arrives at Claire House Hospice, Bebington with Matt Baker finishing her leg from Southport

He said it was especially important because for 2021 the challenge was compelled to take on a different format to keep the event Covid-safe.

Normally riders follow a single route over a series of days. But this year – the 11th year of the annual event – instead of the riders coming to the rickshaw, for the first time the rickshaw has been going to them as they have taken on a relay style ride in five stages.

This meant that having a reliable way of ferrying the rickshaw around the country between legs was key to the success of the whole challenge – and the Ifor Williams team provided exactly the solution needed in the form of an easy to manoeuvre and quick to operate trailer.

It will follow presenter, Matt, on his bicycle accompanying each rickshaw leg across the UK and passing the 'rickshaw baton’ to a new rider at each different stage. He is also filmed loading the trusty rickshaw onto and off the trailer.

Live bulletins in which Matt gives daily updates of the rickshaw’s progress have also been aired on BBC’s Morning Live programme.

To follow the team’s journey and show your support go to bbc.co.uk/pudsey and click The Rickshaw Challenge.