A Sunderland AFC fan-favourite has shared some kind words of encouragement to a Sunderland teen who is set to take on the Rickshaw Challenge tomorrow morning, on behalf of BBC Children in Need.
Life-long SAFC fan Alexander Walker, 16, is set to ride the coveted yellow rickshaw from Sunderland to Durham tomorrow, in the first event of the five-day long relay-style challenge.
Alexander was diagnosed with autism when he was just two, and has received support from BBC Children in Need funded groups alongside his four other teammates completing the event over its duration.
Read more: Autistic Sunderland teen to take part in BBC Children in Need's Rickshaw Challenge
And alongside motivational words from Sunderland City Council leader, Graeme Miller, other local celebrities were keen to share words of profound pride and encouragement with the youngster.
A Tweet posted by the Foundation of Light's official social media page earlier today, read: "Tomorrow we see our very own Alexander kicking off the @BBCCIN Rickshaw Relay Challenge from the Stadium of Light. We have a special message from someone who wants to wish you good luck. Good luck Alexander #TeamFoL."
And attached to the post itself was a video of SAFC star-man Luke O'Nien, who said: "Hi Alex, Luke O'Nien here. Just wanted to wish you all the best in the Rickshaw Challenge on behalf of me and the rest of the team.
"You're doing everyone in Sunderland very proud, so all the best and I'll be there rooting for you my friend."
The annual BBC fundraising event was initially launched in 2011, with BBC One Show presenter Matt Baker riding a rickshaw 484 miles from Edinburgh's Castle Esplanade to BBC Headquarters in London. The team managed to raise some £1.9million for BBC Children in Need on the first ride alone, and over the ten years since more than £41million has been raised overall.
Speaking about the experience, Alexander said: "I’m so excited to be a part of this year’s Rickshaw Relay team, and to be starting at Sunderland AFC is like a dream come true. I can’t wait to head out on the road alongside Matt Baker and see all of the challenge’s supporters from the north east coming out on the road.
"If you can’t make it then please tune in and watch when the documentary airs!"
Here's everywhere you can cheer on Alexander, as he makes his way across the City of Sunderland for the BBC Children in Need's Rickshaw Challenge 2022.
Monday 17th October stops:
- Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light – Start 8:30
- Grace House, Southwick – 8:40
- Northern Saints Primary School, Southwick –9:03
- Hylton Castle – 9:13
- Castletown Primary School, Castletown –9:20
- Barbara Priestman Academy, Meadowside –10:20
- Southmoor Academy Secondary School, Grangetown –11:15
- Hill View Junior School, Hill View –11:15
- Easingston C of E Primary School, Easington – 12:45
- Sherburn Primary School, Sherburn – 14:20
- Palace Green, Durham – Finish 15:00
For exact timings, people can also see where Matt and Alexander are via the Rickshaw tracker at: https://live.opentracking.co.uk/cin2022/
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