CROWDS of people packed Royal Wootton Bassett’s high street to cheer on the One Show’s Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge team yesterday evening.

Braving heavy downpours, excited residents were abuzz with anticipation as they gathered around the Town Hall while the cameras were set up, military personnel stood to attention and Pudsey himself arrived to greet youngsters.

Peter and Karen Ferguson from Wroughton adorned Pudsey hats when they went to show their support for the rickshaw riders.

Karen said: "We've been supporting Children in Need since it started. We're big Pudsey fans, we buy something new each year.

"This challenge is an incredible achievement for the team doing it.

"We're both regular viewers of the one show, we love Alex and Matt. Seeing the behind-the-scenes side of it is great."

Claire Barnett from Royal Wootton Bassett brought her partner Gareth and children Amelia, Ella and Sam to see the show.

Claire said: "We made a sign specially for tonight because we wanted to support such a good charity.

"We're very excited, this will be great for the town."

Fellow locals Jon Cawley, his wife Catherine, and their children Sophia and Alex also eagerly awaited the arrival of the One Show team.

Jon said: "The last time we had something like this was the Olympics, it['s nice.

"We brought the kids along to see the start, then and went to home to watch the show in the warm"

Catherine said "It was amazing, the kids were really excited.

"My mum doesn't live here but she's an avid One Show watcher, so we're taking lots of photos for her."


 

There were plenty of cheers, whoops and claps as presenter Matt Baker broadcast live to introduce the team of six youngsters who were accompanying him on the challenge.

The riders had just finished an exhausting 56-mile journey through sunshine, hail, strong winds and showers from Hook in Hampshire on the fourth day of their cycle from Calais to Salford.

This morning, the team set off for the next part of their trip, which will see them travel across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, right up to Great Malvern.

The last leg of their eight-day 423-mile cross-countries journey will end during the annual Children in Need telethon on Friday night.

Since 2011, The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge has raised over £21 million for BBC Children in Need.

The riders who take part in the challenge have all been supported by Children in Need-funded projects.