The BBC Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge 2018 has launched with a new rickshaw, a new team, and a new route that will travel through Hart and stop overnight in Hook.

A team of six young people, all of whom have been supported by BBC Children in Need-funded projects, will be joined by The One Show’s Matt Baker on the eight day challenge. The team will cycle a 423 mile route, starting on Friday 9 November in Calais, France.

Team Rickshaw will cycle into Hook on Sunday 11 November, and will stop on the Hook Junior School playground at around 7pm. Please come out and support the team and see this year’s new Rickshaw in person. Access to the Junior School playground is through the main gates at the end of the Community Centre Car Park, via the Hartletts Park gate or via the Mitchell's Field gate.

Please note that this event takes place on the school playground only. There will be no access to other areas of the Junior School grounds, to the Junior School buildings. Access to the Junior School will not be possible through the Infant School grounds and all visitors must enter through one of the Junior School access gates.

Cllr Wendy Makepeace-Browne, Chairman of Hart District Council said: “The Rickshaw Challenge is such a fun event and raises a huge amount of money for Children in Need, so it is exciting that Hart can play a part this year. I hope our residents come out to cheer on Team Rickshaw, and better still, do join in with the new public initiative!”

This year the public are being asked to take on their own cycling challenge to raise money and ‘Ride with Team Rickshaw’ with support from cycling app Strava. The public can do their own cycling challenge by logging their miles through the app, and Strava will automatically add their distance to the collective total.

Lynn Martin, Headteacher of Hook Junior School said: “This is a great opportunity for the children at the school and the local community in Hook to help raise money for Children in Need. We hope as many people as possible will come out to show their support.”

Since 2011, The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge has raised over £21 million for BBC Children in Need, with every penny going on to make a difference to the lives of children and young people across the UK who need it most.

Cllr Jane Worlock, Chairman of Hook Parish Council said: “Hook Parish Council is thrilled and delighted to be able to welcome the BBC Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge to Hook on the 11 November.”

You will be able to follow Team Rickshaw’s progress on The One Show and the full route, including a real-time update of the rickshaw’s progress, is also available at online at http://pudsey.viewranger.com/