Uche’s pedal power will help Children In Need with a 400-mile pedal on a rickshaw

BY KATHRYN REEVE
toby@slpmedia.co.uk

A stabbing victim is facing up to that devastating incident by focusing positively and is helping a national charity with a 400-mile pedal on a rickshaw.

Uche, 20, from Bermondsey, who was stabbed in 2017, will propel the vehicle from North Wales to BBC studios located in central London all in aid of Children In Need.

The then-teenager was attacked when a thief tried to steal his bike in 2017.

He spent a month in hospital recovering from surgery after the blade went through his upper arm and  an artery.

The physical scars healed but he struggled to deal with the trauma of what had happened.

But he started attending XLP, a South-east London youth project funded by BBC Children in Need.

With the mentoring and coaching help of the project, he secured an apprenticeship in engineering.

He said: “Following the stabbing I found things quite difficult but with the help of XLP I have been able to focus on my future and make the best of my situation.

“I am really looking forward to being a part of Team Rickshaw and hope that the people of the UK will get behind us and help us to raise money for BBC Children in Need.”

Matt Baker, presenter of The One Show will be joining the challengers in trying to raise as much money as possible.

He said: “We’re looking forward to seeing all those friendly faces who will be cheering us on from the roadside.”

The eight-day challenge will be shown live each day on BBC The One Show from November 8. As well as this real time updates of the Rickshaw Challenge will be available at https://bbc.co.uk/Pudsey .