‘THE streets were lined with people and everybody was cheering so it was lovely and warms your heart’ — the words of The One Show and Countryfile presenter Matt Baker after riding into Okehampton as part of The One Show Rickshaw Challenge.

On Saturday the challenge passed through Cornwall and West Devon before reaching Okehampton where the team stayed for the night.

Presenter Matt Baker and six young riders supported by projects funded by Children in Need are pedalling a rickshaw 477 miles from Lands’ End to Elstree Film Studios in London. They are due to finish the challenge tomorrow night (Friday) just in time for the Children in Need broadcast. The rickshaw challenge was first completed five years ago has become one of the major fundraising events for BBC Children in Need.

As the furore of their arrival died down, Matt Baker spoke to the Times about the day’s challenges and how the public support helped to spur the team on. He said that spirits had been high among the team during their journey to Okehampton and that the reaction from people lining the streets of the town was ‘lovely’.

He said: ‘The roar as we came down the high street here was brilliant. As soon as the lights came — we’ve had so much darkness out there and then bang, you come into the floodlights.

‘The streets were lined with people and everybody was cheering so it was lovely and warms your heart. The support is the most important thing. It’s the people that are coming out on the street that drive you on.

‘I can’t tell you how important it is to have people on the streets. This area in particular has been so generous. Not just with their money but also with their time and coming out on the road. They’ve been there, cheering us along out in the middle of nowhere. I can’t tell you how much it helps.

‘To see people cheering you on and waving you on, it’s wonderful. The team have been amazed by the public support. I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everybody that has come out to show their support.’

‘Padstow is a very long way away and there are a lot of hills between there and here! To be honest with you, it was the wind, my goodness. When we started in the morning it was like we were cycling along rivers. The roads were just full of water and the rain was battering us from all angles. It has been a very, very long day. We set off just after six in the morning so it’s nearly 13 hours.’

Residents of the town gathered in Fore Street over an hour before the rickshaw’s arrival to get a good place to see the team arriving in town. In the build up to the rickshaw‘s arrival, the FOOTsteps dance troupe performed for the crowds and Okehampton Lions made a presentation for £200 to BBC Children in Need.

As Lucy, a 16-year-old from South Yorkshire with cerebral palsy, deafness and sight problems, pedalled the rickshaw into Okehampton, those lining the streets gave a massive cheer as she approached and chanted her name as she pulled up outside St James’ Chapel.

Matt said that since he became a father, the challenge had become even more important to him.

He said: ‘Children shouldn’t be in need in the society that we have and the opportunities that we have. Just to have a cause like Children in Need that helps so many different projects is wonderful— and the team are good evidence of that. When I became a father, all you hope for is that if your children did need help that the support is there when they need it.

‘Actually, that’s why I do it. I think because it helps so many different projects, that’s what I love about it. I’m on the board of trustees now for Children in Need so it’s something incredibly close to my heart.

‘We’ve also done a lot with Countryfile this year too — just really pushing that through. I believe for me it’s all about the British public and I’m trying to come up with as many different ideas as I can to involve Britain as a whole.’

Since 2011, the Rickshaw Challenge has raised more than £7.9-million for BBC Children in Need, with each and every penny going to projects supporting disadvantaged children and young people right here in the UK.

To support the challenge, you can donate either £5 or £10 by text. To donate £5 text the word TEAM to 70705 or to donate £10 text TEAM to 70710. Texts will cost your donation plus the standard network message charge.

All of the donation will go to BBC Children in Need. You must be 16 or over and please ask for the bill payer’s permission.