Millie joins the Rickshaw Challenge

CLDF is so proud that Millie will be joining Matt Baker this Friday for The Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge One-Off Special

The Rickshaw Challenge for BBC Children in Need is back for 2021, with a difference. This year, to keep everyone COVID safe, instead of the riders coming to the rickshaw, for the first time the rickshaw is going to them. The Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge will see Matt Baker and team take on a relay-style ride in five chapters, with each rider taking a leg each, travelling through their hometowns and visiting places which hold a particular significance for them along the way.

As the challenge enters its 11th year, Matt will be there to pass the “rickshaw baton” between these five inspirational young people between Monday 1st and Friday 5th November. This one-off special will not only share the team’s remarkable stories but also celebrate the history of this much-loved BBC Children in Need staple, while at the same time raising life-changing money for the charity, as part of its 2021 Appeal. The upcoming One-Off Special, The Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge for BBC Children in Need will be broadcast on BBC One, 10th November at 19:30.

Millie, 20 from Edinburgh: When Millie was born, she was diagnosed with Alagille Syndrome, a rare liver condition, and within a few months urgently needed a liver transplant. Millie received her transplant in Birmingham, one of three specialist centres in the UK that perform liver transplants for children. Despite Millie having visual and hearing impairments, she is happy and healthy and celebrating 20 years since her liver transplant this year. Millie receives support from BBC Children in Need funded project, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) who offer one-to-one and online support for 11-24 year olds who are experiencing liver disease. The support aims to reduce young people’s social isolation, increase resilience and independence. CLDF also provide family support, information and funding for research. They also provide a voice for all those affected by childhood liver disease. Millie has also competed in 12 British Transplant Games, and 2 World Transplant Games. Even though they were cancelled last and this year due to COVID-19, Millie was undefeated, and competed in a virtual transplant games and did long jump in her garden, table tennis, ran and cycled. Transplant Sport UK, who host the Transplant Games are also supported by BBC Children in Need through funding the Kids and Teens Co-ordinator.

Millie says: “Children’s Liver Disease Foundation has been fundamental in supporting me for many years – the peer support is what I appreciate the most! I have instilled a positive attitude all these years through my difficulties and I honestly don’t know life any other way – I’m so grateful for the support. I’m incredibly excited to be part of The Rickshaw Challenge, I love to cycle and I cycle to work so I’m ready for the challenge with Matt Baker and the team!”

Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) currently receive £118,600 in funding from BBC Children in Need to deliver a range of online one-to-one and group support to children and young people with liver disease across the UK.

Day 5 Rickshaw Route (5^th November)

Members of the public are welcome to show their support whilst Matt Baker and Millie are on-the-road, but are encouraged to do so in line with Covid-19 guidelines in order to keep everyone involved safe. The public are kindly asked to keep at least 2 metres distance from our team at all times.

Over the course of ten years, The Rickshaw Challenge has so far raised more than £41million for the charity. This year, the team plan to ride just over 142 miles between them, travelling through Bristol, Somerset, Manchester, Liverpool, Ulverston and then taking a nostalgic turn, finishing this year’s Rickshaw Challenge in Edinburgh, where it all started back in 2011.

Speaking of this year’s Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge, Matt Baker says: “I can’t wait to join Harrison, Millie, Liv, Rainbow and Thomas for the 11th Rickshaw Challenge and together, raise money for BBC Children in Need. The first-ever Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge special programme will provide a behind the scenes look at how we get the Rickshaw on the road and the trials and tribulations over an incredible week with some inspirational young people. It’s been a big part of my life over the last 10 years and I’m over the moon we’ve managed to find a way of it happening again and show viewers how their donations help change young lives.”

Donations can be made online via bbc.co.uk/Pudsey where the public can also track the progress of the Team Rickshaw journey each day. Fundraising information and to ‘Pedal for Pudsey’ this year, please also visit the website.

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive at BBC Children in Need added: “It is always such a privilege to see the positive impact each Rickshaw Challenge has on the young participants, being part of a team and challenging themselves to help raise awareness and money for a cause that they hold so close to their hearts. This year’s new one off special will allow the courageous young people to tell their inspiring life stories in detail and show viewers how their donations make a difference to real young lives across the UK. I’ll be championing Matt and the 2021 team every step of the way!”