There was an abundance of community spirit as the BBC's Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge 2022 relay kicked off in the city of Sunderland.
A gathering took place inside SAFC's Stadium of Light at around 8.30am on Monday, as 16-year-old Alexander Walker and Matt Baker straddled the iconic yellow CIN rickshaw and set off across the North East on the first leg of the five-day event.
Young Alexander is one of five inspirational teens to be selected to take part in this year's challenge, after being diagnosed with autism at the age of two. He has received help and assistance throughout his life from Children in Need funded organisations.
Read more: Autistic Sunderland teen to take part in BBC Children in Need's Rickshaw Challenge
Speaking at the launch of the event, Matt Baker told ChronicleLive: "Here we are at the Stadium of Light, it's the start line of this year's Rickshaw Challenge - this is Rickshaw Challenge number twelve. We've cycled over five thousand miles, 59 riders have been on board, and thanks to the generosity of so many people out there we've raised over £43million.
"But we're not stopping there, we're going to keep going and that's the idea this year. We've got five riders from all across the UK, so as soon as I've finished up with Alexander today who's doing 28 miles, we'll be off to Wrexham after this.
"And then we go all the way around and eventually finish up in Silverstone. But thanks to everybody for supporting the Rickshaw Challenge in the past, thanks to everybody that will continue to do so as well - it means a great deal to so many people. Thank you."
And as Alexander and Matt set off, they were cheered on by a crowd of people sporting signs and chanting 'Go Alexander go!'.
The support from the local community has been admirable for the Sunderland teen and Children in Need star, who will embark on a 28-mile journey from the Stadium of Light, arriving at the Palace Green in Durham. One famous face from across the North East wished Alex and Matt well came in the form of SAFC's Luke O'Nien.
In a video posted to the platform, the hard-working centre half, 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."
There's still plenty of time to cheer on the Children in Need duo in their endeavours - here's a list of places you can find them on their travels, with approximate times.
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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