How High Peak youngsters raised pounds for Pudsey

Youngsters across the High Peak went the extra mile to raise funds for BBC's Children in Need charity.

Students at St Philip Howard Catholic Voluntary Academy held a non-uniform day to raise money. 

They each paid £1 and chose a duck for an online race, with a small prize for the winner. 

Overall, the students raised a whopping total of £500 for the cause.

In addition, the school recognised Anti-Bullying Week, encouraging students to sport odd socks as a way to express their uniqueness. 

Everyone embraced the opportunity to stand out and students championed the message ‘Change Starts with Us!

Meanwhile Jim Wood, a student in catering at Buxton and Leek College, appeared on TV for BBC Children in Need, as part of the Rickshaw Challenge Team that raised an amazing £4,750,819.

The Rickshaw Challenge started in 2011 when Matt Baker cycled solo from Edinburgh to London. This year is its 10th year, with Matt and the Rickshaw Team riding a total of 830 miles, smashing their original target of 330.

Beginning their journey at Goodwood, a decision was quickly made to complete the cycling challenge virtually. 

Team members used exercise bikes at home, keeping in touch over video chat. 

Jim (pictured), aged 16, is from New Mills and took part in the challenge on behalf of Over The Wall, a charity that provides transformative activity camps for children with serious illnesses.

He was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease at five years old, impacting him throughout his childhood and causing excruciating pain.

Doctors struggled to find an effective treatment for his disease, leaving him bed bound for long periods, before he received a bone marrow transplant in 2018. Despite this being a complicated operation, it was a success, and has afforded Jim a new lease of life.

He is now working toward a Professional Catering Certificate Level 2, with aspirations to become a chef.

Unfortunately, Jim had to pull out of the Rickshaw Challenge early after a flare up of shingles.

He said: “I feel really proud to have been asked to be part of Team Rickshaw and was honoured to be part of such an amazing team of riders.”