Matt Baker is back on the road for the Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge

Matt Baker says being back on the road for the Rickshaw Challenge is 'magic'.

The presenter joined the BBC Morning Live show and spoke to hosts Sara Cox and Rav Wilding on the first day of The Rickshaw Relay Challenge.

The first leg of the journey kicked off this morning (November 1) at 7am with Matt Baker and 16-year-old Tom cycling through Somerset and the Cheddar Gorge.

Matt joined the show via live link whilst cycling up a hill, he said: “You’ve joined us as we’re going up a massive hill at the moment.

“We’re taking the rickshaw around the UK… sorry it is quite a big hill this… we’re just on our way to Cheddar Gorge."

Host Rav Wilding asked Matt what it was like being back on the road for the 11th year.

He replied: “Do you know what, it’s magic. Because we’re doing it outside of the One Show this year, I was a little bit apprehensive of how it would go and ever since we set off, there’s been people lining the streets cheering us on doing all of that wonderful support.

“It means a great deal, it really does. Thank you, thank you , thank you.

“That’s what we’re doing it for, that’s what these young riders are doing it for. To raise awareness and to raise money. They are a very inspirational young bunch.”

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This year to keep everyone COVID safe, for the first time the rickshaw challenge will see Matt Baker and the team take on a relay-style ride in five chapters.

Each inspirational rider will take a leg each, travelling through their hometowns and visiting places which hold a particular significance for them.

Today (November 1) the Countryfile presenter was joined by 16-year-old Tom from Somerset.

In September 2018, Tom’s world was turned upside down when his parents - both NHS workers - were involved in a devastating car accident and tragically Tom’s Dad, Rod, lost his life.

Tom received support from a local BBC Children in Need funded project, The Space who have delivered weekly one on one counselling sessions.

During a prerecorded video shown on BBC Morning Live, Tom said when he first heard he was going to be part of the rickshaw team he was ‘screaming’ with joy in a Tesco car park.

He spoke about how he used to do a lot of cycling with his Dad.

Host Rav asked Matt how Tom was getting on with the tough challenge.

“Do you know he’s doing brilliant, we had quite an emotional start because [Tom’s] Mum was there at the start line, it was a lovely send off for you wasn’t it?” He said, turning to Tom.

Tom said it was 'an honour' to be part of the team of inspiring young people.

“It felt amazing, knowing I was going to be the first one to start off this incredible journey it made me feel absolutely incredible," he said: “I remember just screaming but it was an absolute honour to know that I was going to be a part of this team and do this incredible bike ride across the country with so many other young people who are inspiring.”

Matt Baker will be cycling the Manchester leg of the journey tomorrow (November 2) with 18-year-old Rainbow from Liverpool.

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

The Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge will broadcast on Wednesday November 10 at 7.30pm on BBC One.

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